Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War (Cambodia)
- Kung-fu Hillbilly
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Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War (Cambodia)
Photo courtesy of the U.S. National Archives
Progress in Cambodia
Nov. 16, 2020
Of the remaining 48 Americans still unaccounted for in Cambodia, seven are in a “non-recoverable” category. This means that as a result of rigorous investigation, we have conclusive evidence the individual perished, but do not believe it possible to recover his remains. On rare occasions, new leads can arise that bring a case back to an active status.
Resolving “Last Known Alive” Cases
Of the original 19 individuals “Last Known Alive” in Cambodia (those who survived or may have survived their loss incident and were either alive on the ground, in captivity, or in immediate proximity to capture, but did not return), DoD has confirmed the death of 13, with six still unresolved.
Of the 13 whose deaths have been confirmed, the remains of seven have been recovered and identified; efforts continue to recover the remaining six.
U.S. and Vietnamese specialists met in Hanoi last year to discuss Last Known Alive cases in areas of Cambodia controlled by Vietnamese forces during the war.
Research and Investigations
A U.S. POW/MIA investigator is stationed in Phnom Penh full-time. He pursues leads associated with the remaining 48 individuals still unaccounted for in Cambodia.
Witnesses have assisted in identifying recovery sites on Koh Tang, the island associated with the Mayaguez incident. Thirteen of the 18 Americans missing from that incident have been recovered and identified.
U.S. researchers continue to review materials in Cambodian archives. Private researchers studying Khmer Rouge wartime atrocities in Cambodia have also shared relevant information they have uncovered.
full https://www.dpaa.mil/Resources/Fact-She ... -cambodia/
Re: Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War (Cambodia)
Interesting Headline: Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War (Cambodia)
To my knowledge The US was never officially involved in any War with Laos, Cambodia and China. Too many MIA's for not being at War with a country.
I really feel sorry for the GI''s that were drafted at the time and really didn't have much of a choice. I met Guys like this on the Bus to Saigon that were drafted when they were 17 !! Their Trauma followed them like a shadow and they couldn't stop talking about it.
To my knowledge The US was never officially involved in any War with Laos, Cambodia and China. Too many MIA's for not being at War with a country.
I really feel sorry for the GI''s that were drafted at the time and really didn't have much of a choice. I met Guys like this on the Bus to Saigon that were drafted when they were 17 !! Their Trauma followed them like a shadow and they couldn't stop talking about it.
- John Bingham
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Re: Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War (Cambodia)
This would have been the worst place in the world for a foreigner to try to survive in during the late 70s. The only whitey I have ever heard of living through the period (outside of embassy staff) was Laurence Picq who was married to a high ranking cadre. Even she had a terrible time and one of her children died while she was escaping to Thailand in 1979.
Silence, exile, and cunning.
- SternAAlbifrons
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Re: Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War (Cambodia)
^^^
Phnom Penh Post
04 October 1996
My life under Ieng Sary: Crying against the shame & horror
Laurence Picq
IN 1967 I married Sikoeun, a Cambodian student in Paris. With him, I shared an ideal: that of a better world. Together
we joined the resistance against the American war on the side of Sihanouk (1970-1975).
My two daughters were born in Beijing, Naren and Sokha.
Sikoeun left alone for the resistance in 1974.
After the fall of Phnom Penh on April 17, l975, I rejoined him in Phnom Penh.
We were part of a unit named B1, which was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Ieng Sary. We stayed until January 7, l979, when the Vietnamese entered Phnom Penh.
At the time I was expecting a child. Naren, Sokha and myself were thrown into an abominable war, in headlong flight, with its procession of unspeakable horror, where death was common, where each day and night was a nightmare, where each step was one deeper into hell and horror....
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... ame-horror
Phnom Penh Post
04 October 1996
My life under Ieng Sary: Crying against the shame & horror
Laurence Picq
IN 1967 I married Sikoeun, a Cambodian student in Paris. With him, I shared an ideal: that of a better world. Together
we joined the resistance against the American war on the side of Sihanouk (1970-1975).
My two daughters were born in Beijing, Naren and Sokha.
Sikoeun left alone for the resistance in 1974.
After the fall of Phnom Penh on April 17, l975, I rejoined him in Phnom Penh.
We were part of a unit named B1, which was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Ieng Sary. We stayed until January 7, l979, when the Vietnamese entered Phnom Penh.
At the time I was expecting a child. Naren, Sokha and myself were thrown into an abominable war, in headlong flight, with its procession of unspeakable horror, where death was common, where each day and night was a nightmare, where each step was one deeper into hell and horror....
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... ame-horror
- John Bingham
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Re: Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War (Cambodia)
That's interesting. In her book, which is very hard to get, she describes working in that B1 as being very uncomfortable, as a foreigner she was treated with suspicion the whole time. I have a PDF of her book but it's one of those scanned ones with crooked pages etc. Well worth a read though.
Silence, exile, and cunning.
- SternAAlbifrons
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Re: Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War (Cambodia)
Years ago I tried to track down her book or any details of her story but had no luck.
I found this 'Post article just now after your prompt ^^ (thanks)
Hey! Just dug this up too. I hadn't realised they interviewed her for Ieng Sary's trial
Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia
Written record of Interview with Laurence Picq
October 31, 2008
https://www.eccc.gov.kh/en/document/cou ... 2008-14h40
(press, Download file)
(sorry to divert from your thread Kung Fu
- hopefully someone will have more info on that issue too)
I found this 'Post article just now after your prompt ^^ (thanks)
Hey! Just dug this up too. I hadn't realised they interviewed her for Ieng Sary's trial
Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia
Written record of Interview with Laurence Picq
October 31, 2008
https://www.eccc.gov.kh/en/document/cou ... 2008-14h40
(press, Download file)
(sorry to divert from your thread Kung Fu
- hopefully someone will have more info on that issue too)
- John Bingham
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Re: Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War (Cambodia)
I'll send you my copy if you like. I might see if I can use OCR to tidy it up first because it's a pain in the ass to read.
Silence, exile, and cunning.
- SternAAlbifrons
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Re: Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War (Cambodia)
Thanks JB, Fab! (take your time)
I'll send you a PM later today - 'just found a few more docs you may be interested in.
Reading that ECCC interview with L. Picq - she seems to suggest this session was only part of the interview.
"First, let me come back to what i said this morning about self-criticism sessions..."
I will try to track down her full interviews.
I'll send you a PM later today - 'just found a few more docs you may be interested in.
Reading that ECCC interview with L. Picq - she seems to suggest this session was only part of the interview.
"First, let me come back to what i said this morning about self-criticism sessions..."
I will try to track down her full interviews.
- John Bingham
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Re: Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War (Cambodia)
Yes, it did end rather abruptly. Her book isn't quite as clear or damning about Ieng Sary, it seems she was kept in the dark during that time and it took a while to join the dots.
Silence, exile, and cunning.
- SternAAlbifrons
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Re: Current Status of Unaccounted-for Americans Lost in the Vietnam War (Cambodia)
Back to the MIAs
From the OP doc >
Resolving “Last Known Alive” Cases
Of the original 19 individuals “Last Known Alive” in Cambodia (those who survived or may have survived their loss incident and were either alive on the ground, in captivity, or in immediate proximity to capture, but did not return), DoD has confirmed the death of 13, with six still unresolved.
Has any investigation been done into the treatment of captured US military in Cambodia?
Not on an individual basis - but the policy, and any culpability that should be further explored. ??
Unfortunately USA's refusal to allow the KR Tribunal to go anywhere near America's involvement precluded this issue being part of their brief.
From the OP doc >
Resolving “Last Known Alive” Cases
Of the original 19 individuals “Last Known Alive” in Cambodia (those who survived or may have survived their loss incident and were either alive on the ground, in captivity, or in immediate proximity to capture, but did not return), DoD has confirmed the death of 13, with six still unresolved.
Has any investigation been done into the treatment of captured US military in Cambodia?
Not on an individual basis - but the policy, and any culpability that should be further explored. ??
Unfortunately USA's refusal to allow the KR Tribunal to go anywhere near America's involvement precluded this issue being part of their brief.
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