23 September 1998
TEXT: AMERICANS, RUSSIANS TO DISCUSS KOREAN WAR MIG SHOOTDOWNS
(Meeting set up by U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs) (520) Washington -- The Defense Department announced that five U.S. Air Force fighter pilots from the Korean War will meet with Russian officials September 24 to share information on American shootdowns of MiG aircraft. The meeting was arranged through the U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs, which is staffed by the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO). Russian members of the Commission requested assistance in resolving cases of Russian airmen missing in action from the Korean War. Following is the text of the DOD statement: (Begin text) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MEMORANDUM FOR CORRESPONDENTS September 23, 1998 U.S. Air Force fighter pilots from the Korean War will meet with Russian officials Thursday [September 24] to share information on American shootdowns of MiG aircraft. The unprecedented meeting was arranged through the U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs, which is staffed by the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO). Russian members of the Commission requested assistance in resolving cases of Russian airmen missing in action from the Korean War. A detailed analysis of the Russian cases, including the date, time and location of the shootdowns, indicated that any of these five Air Force pilots could have knowledge of the Russian cases. The Russian side of the commission has assisted U.S. investigators for several years in interviews with Russians who have shared information about U.S. MIAs. A small U.S. team is stationed full time in Moscow, from where it conducts archival research, site visits and interviews with Russian citizens who may have knowledge of American MIAs. The Commission was established in 1992 by Presidents Bush and Yeltsin to examine information relating to Americans who may have been held by, or transferred into the former Soviet Union during the Vietnam War, the Korean War, the Cold War or World War II. The six Russian officials arrived in the United States on Sunday [September 20], and have visited the National Archives, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the DPMO, and the offices of Sen. Bob Smith and Rep. Sam Johnson, both U.S. commissioners. The Russians and Americans exchanged documents during these visits which may be of assistance to both sides in their analyses of unaccounted-for Americans. A media opportunity will be held at noon tomorrow in the Mt. Vernon Room at the Crystal Gateway Marriott, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway (enter from Eads St.) in Crystal City, Va. Johnson, a Korean War fighter pilot and POW, will host the pilots and Russian officials at a luncheon tomorrow. The U.S. Air Force fighter pilots are: Name Hometown Retired Lt. Gen. William E. Brown Jr. Alexandria, Va. Retired Brig. Gen. Paul A. Kauttu Spinnaway, Wash. Retired Col. Dale W. Smiley Ft. Wayne, Ind. Retired Lt. Col. Brooks J. Liles Goldsboro, N.C. Retired Lt. Col. Gene F. Rogge Fountain Hills, Ariz. Point of contact for more information is Larry Greer at (703) 602-1245. (End text)
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