[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 109 (Friday, September 15, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8631-S8633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. 
As a Nation we remember and honor all those who were prisoners of war 
and those who are still MIA. It is altogether fitting that they have 
this special day where we express gratitude for their service, for 
their sacrifices, and for the sacrifices of their families. We also 
take this day to assure the many families who still await the return of 
a loved one that we have not forgotten.
  As a former Navy officer, I feel strongly that the United States 
Government must fulfill its commitments to the men and women who serve 
in the armed forces. One of these commitments is using every available 
means to ensure the return of POWs and MIAs at the end of hostilities. 
We must continue to support the vigorous pursuit of this commitment 
through on-site investigations being undertaken in Indochina and 
through a fuller examination of records in the United States, Russia 
and Asia. I would like us to renew our promise to the families and to 
the Nation to tirelessly fight for the fullest possible disclosure of 
information about the many Americans missing or unaccounted for from 
World War I, World War II, the Korean War, in Southeast Asia, and from 
the Cold War.
  As we renew that promise, we can also count some accomplishments. In 
the past year, the remains of 49 Americans were returned from the war 
in Southeast Asia; however, 2005 Americans remain unaccounted for from 
that war--1,511 in Vietnam alone.
  All year, veterans in Indiana and around the country have been 
holding commemorative events marking the 50th anniversary of the Korean 
War. This year has also seen progress in negotiations with the North 
Korean Government. In June, we witnessed a historic summit between 
North and South Korea, which could lead to further breakthroughs. 
Within the past three months, joint United States-North Korean remains 
recovery operations have returned the remains of 28 Americans. Since 
1996, teams from the U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory in 
Hawaii have conducted 15 such operations and recovered remains believed 
to be 68 soldiers. Though many of these MIA files were dormant for 
years because we had no diplomatic ties with the North Koreans, 
advances in DNA identification procedures create the hope that all of 
these remains will be identified.
  This is a team effort and requires the firm commitments of the 
Congress, the Administration, the Departments of Defense and State, the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff and the National Security Agency. I am hopeful 
that all of us, through continued humanitarian support and dedicated 
diplomatic endeavors, will gain further information about the 
servicemen still missing to honor their sacrifice and provide peace of 
mind to their loved ones.
  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise to remind my colleagues that today 
is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. On this occasion, we should 
remember and pay tribute to the 2,005 soldiers, sailors, marines, and 
airmen who are still missing and unaccounted for, and we stand in 
solidarity with their loved ones and families. I am humbled by, and 
grateful for their love of country and sense of duty and honor.
  It is difficult not to feel uneasy amidst the mixture of somber 
thoughts and feelings of gratitude and pride that this day brings. 
Uneasy, because, while we are a nation at peace and the wars in which 
these men fought are long over, they have not all returned home.
  These Americans swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution, 
and with great personal sacrifice, carried through on that promise to 
their nation. Undoubtedly, many endured years in starved, tortured, 
isolated misery. Their integrity and heroism are examples of the core 
values on which this nation was founded.
  Today, I want to pay special tribute to the dedication and service of 
the soldiers from my home State of Minnesota who are or were POW/MIAs 
from the Vietnam war and the Korean war.
  These great Americans and their families have the gratitude of this 
free Nation. Yet, we must not rest until all American POW/MIAs are 
returned and accounted for, and the many questions that have 
overwhelmed their families are answered. I urge the Senate, the 
administration, the Departments of Defense and State, the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff, and the National Security Agency to redouble their efforts to 
bring our soldiers home as quickly as possible. Let us all take heart 
from the POW/MIA flag, which is displayed every day in the Capitol 
rotunda and which I display proudly in my offices. ``You Are Not 
Forgotten.''
  I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a list of 
Minnesota's POW/MIAs from the Vietnam and Korean Wars.
  There being no objection, the list was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                 Minnesota's Cold War Conflict POW/MIAs

       Eddie R. Berg, Air Force, Staff Sergeant.
       Warren J. Sanderson, Air Force, Captain.

                 Minnesota's Vietnam Conflict POW/MIAs

       Howard L. Algaard, Army, Warrant Officer.
       Richard C. Anshus, Army, Lieutenant Colonel.
       John F. Bailey, Air Force, Major.
       Charles J. Bebus, Air Force, Airman First Class.
       Cole Black, Navy, Lieutenant Commander.
       Richard F. Bolstad, Air Force, Colonel.
       Paul V. Carlson, Navy, Lieutenant Junior Grade.
       Keith A. Christophersen, Navy, Lieutenant Junior Grade.
       William R. Cook, Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel.
       William J. Crockett, Air Force, First Lieutenant.
       Benjamin F. Danielson, Air Force, Captain.
       Gale A. Despiegler, Air Force, Major.
       David W. Erickson, Marine Corps, Private First Class.
       David Everson, Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel.
       Allen E. Fellows, Air Force, Major.
       Robert H. Flynn, Navy, Lieutenant Commander.
       William S. Forman, Navy, Lieutenant.

[[Page S8632]]

       Lawrence H. Golberg, Air Force, Captain.
       Lawrence D. Gosen, Navy, Lieutenant Commander.
       Gary J. Guggenberger, Army, Corporal.
       Eugene A. Handrahan, Army, Corporal.
       Stephen J. Harber, Army, Corporal.
       Elroy E. Harworth, Air Force, Airman First Class.
       Roger D. Ingvalson, Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel.
       Kenneth R. Johnson, Air Force, Major.
       Richard A. Knutson, Army, Warrant Officer.
       Thomas C. Kolstad, Navy, Lieutenant Commander.
       Melvin T. Krech, Navy, Petty Officer First Class.
       Ronnie G. Lindstrom, Air Force, First Lieutenant.
       Allen R. Lloyd, Army, Sergeant.
       Lyle E. Mac Kendanz, Army, Staff Sergeant.
       Marlow E. Madsen, Navy, Lieutenant Junior Grade.
       William E. Mickelsen, Navy, Lieutenant.
       Robert E. Mishuk, Marine Corps, Private First Class.
       Patrick P. Murray, Marine Corps, Captain.
       Clinton A. Musil, Army, Captain.
       Patrick L. Ness, Navy, Ensign.
       Barry A. Olson, Army, Private First Class.
       Robert E. Olson, Air Force, Major.
       Delbert R. Peterson, Air Force, First Lieutenant.
       Trent R. Powers, Navy, Lieutenant Commander.
       Michael E. Quinn, Navy, Lieutenant.
       Gary L. Rehn, Marine Corps, Corporal.
       Lavern G. Reilly, Air Force, Major.
       Thomas E. Reitmann, Air Force, Captain.
       John L. Ryder, Air Force, First Lieutenant.
       Richard J. Schell, Army, Second Lieutenant.
       John R. Schumann, Army, Major.
       Francis L. Setterquist, Air Force, First Lieutenant.
       Orval H. Skarman, Marine Corps, Sergeant.
       Darrell J. Spinler, Air Force, Captain.
       Danial A. Sulander, Army, Warrant Officer.
       Roger W. Swanson, Army, Private First Class.
       William E. Swanson, Navy Reserves, Lieutenant Junior Grade.
       Leo K. Thorsness, Air Force, Major.
       Dennis L. Toms, Navy, Seaman Apprentice.
       Richard A. Walsh, Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel.
       David R. Wheat, Navy, Lieutenant Junior Grade.
       Richard D. Wiehr, Navy, Petty Officer Second Class.
       Kurt M. Wilbrecht, Marine Corps, First Lieutenant.
       David W. Winn, Air Force, Brigadier General.
       Ronald L. Zemple, Navy, Seaman.

                  Minnesota's Korean Conflict POW/MIAs

       Glen Allen, Marine Corps, First Lieutenant.
       Roy H. Anderson, Jr., Army, Corporal.
       Arnold V. Andring, Army, Sergeant.
       Henry L. Arionus, Army, Corporal.
       James L. Ballantyne, Army, Corporal.
       Weldon L. Bassett, Army, Corporal.
       John W. Beebe, Marine Corps, Major.
       Dwight M. Bergeron, Army, Sergeant.
       James H. Belcher, Jr., Army, Private First Class.
       Louis H. Bergmann, Air Force, Staff Sergeant.
       Alfred J. Bernardy, Army, Corporal.
       Robert Bjorge, Army, Private First Class.
       Robert S. Block, Army, Private First Class.
       Richard F. Boehme, Army, Private First Class.
       John L. Bolster, Army, Private First Class.
       Benny Bowstring, Army, Sergeant.
       George E. Bradway, Army, Private First Class.
       Arnold N. Brandt, Army, Lieutenant Colonel.
       William E. Brandt, Marine Corps, Corporal.
       Sylvester A. Braun, Army, Corporal.
       James V. Briody, Army, Private First Class.
       Donald Brooks, Army, Corporal.
       Gerald L. Caldwell, Marine Corps, Private First Class.
       Ralph W. Carlson, Army, Sergeant.
       Jerry C. Christensen, Army, Master Sergeant.
       Adrian L. Christenson, Air Force, Captain.
       Edward W. Clarno, Army, Private First Class.
       William Colby, Army, Corporal.
       Elmer C. Dahn, Army, Corporal.
       Rolland W. Demo, Army, Private First Class.
       Williard M. Denn, Air Force, Airman First Class.
       Gordon A. Dietrich, Army, Private First Class.
       Harvey E. Dorff, Army, Corporal.
       Donald J. Drama, Air Force, First Lieutenant.
       Dewin G. Eklund, Jr., Army, Captain.
       Gerald R. Emmans, Army, Corporal.
       Dean J. Erickson, Air Force, Airman Third Class.
       Eugene L. Erickson, Army, Private First Class.
       William P. Faeth, Air Force, Staff Sergeant.
       Richard M. Fairbanks, Army, Private First Class.
       John D. Farley, Marine Corps, Lance Corporal.
       Michael C. Fastner, Army, Master Sergeant.
       Charles C. Follese, Army, Private First Class.
       Robert D. Frisk, Army, Corporal.
       Channing Gardner, Navy, Lieutenant Junior Grade.
       John H. Gilles, Army, Second Lieutenant.
       Richard E. Grauman, Army, Sergeant.
       Rosslyn E. Gresens, Army, Sergeant.
       Lincoln L. Grife, Army, Private First Class.
       Walter H. Gruebbeling, Army, Sergeant First Class.
       Elvin W. Haase, Army, Sergeant.
       Kenneth N. Halsor, Army, Private First Class.
       Gordon L. Hannah, Army, Sergeant First Class.
       Beverly T. Haskell, Army, Sergeant First Class.
       John W. Healy, Army, Lieutenant Junior Grade.
       August H. Hinrichs, Jr., Air Force, Master Sergeant.
       Delbert J. Holliday, Army, Private.
       John H. Holman, Army, Sergeant First Class.
       Johnh I. Hoven, Army, Corporal.
       Arnold S. Howard, Air Force, First Lieutenant.
       Paul J. Jacobson, Air Force, First Lieutenant.
       Lawrence R. Jasmer, Army, Sergeant.
       Morton H. Jensen, Air Force, Technical Sergeant.
       Eugene F. Johnson, Navy, Lieutenant.
       Gudmund C. Johnson, Jr., Army, Corporal.
       Roy L. Johnson, Army, Corporal.
       Richard J. Karnos, Army, Major.
       Douglas B. Kern, Air Force, First Lieutenant.
       Merten G. Klawitter, Army, Sergeant.
       Edwin H. Knutson, Army, Sergeant.
       George W. Kristanoff, Army, Captain.
       Freddie A. Kvale, Army, Corporal.
       Gerald R. Larson, Army, Private First Class.
       Robert W. Liebeg, Army, Corporal.
       Ronald D. Lilledahl, Marine Corps, Private First Class.
       Carl H. Lindquist, Army, Master Sergeant.
       Walter E. Lischeid, Marine Corps, Lieutenant Colonel.
       Warren A. Lundberg, Marine Corps, Lance Corporal.
       Allan E. Luoma, Army, Sergeant.
       William R. Lyden, Air Force, First Lieutenant.
       George Major, Marine Corps, Major.
       Charles D. Makela, Army, Corporal.
       Clarence A. Mattson, Army, Corporal.
       Homer I. May, Army, Sergeant First Class.
       Earl W. Melsness, Army, Corporal.
       Robert Mickelson, Army, Private First Class.
       Elwyn J. Miller, Marine Corps, Private First Class.
       Roland A. Moore, Army, Master Sergeant.
       Harold V. Motzko, Army, Corporal.
       Gerald J. Mueller, Army, Sergeant.
       Horace H. Myers Jr., Air Force, Major.
       Lawrence A. Nelson, Air Force, First Lieutenant.
       William F. Nelson, Army, First Lieutenant.
       Howard C. Nielsen, Army, Private First Class.
       Robert F. Niemann, Air Force, First Lieutenant.
       Larrie D. O'Brien, Army, Private.
       Kenneth L. Olson, Army, Corporal.
       Maurice A. Olson, Air Force, Technical Sergeant.
       Norman E. Olson, Army, Master Sergeant.
       Robert H. Ostendorf, Army, Private First Class.
       Chester Ostrowski, Army, Private First Class.
       Eugene L. Ottensen, Army, Sergeant.
       Paul P. Pensak, Army, Private First Class.
       Donwin R. Peterson, Air Force, Private First Class.
       Norman W. Peterson, Army, Airman Second Class.
       Phillip O. Peterson, Air Force, Private First Class.
       Ralph L. Phelps, Air Force, Staff Sergeant.
       Alvin E. Potz, Army, Private First Class.
       Daniel C. Randall, Army, Private.
       Francis J. Reimer, Army, Sergeant.
       Glen C. Richardson, Army, Sergeant.
       Alfred D. Richner Jr., Army, Sergeant.
       Floyd J. Robb Jr., Army, Corporal.
       Ernest Robinson, Marine Corps, Sergeant.
       Eugene H. Roering, Army, Private First Class.
       Raymond C. Rogers, Army, Sergeant First Class.
       Henry O. Ross, Army, Corporal.
       Donald L. Rosevink, Army, Private First Class.
       Floyd A. Roy, Army, Sergeant First Class.
       Wayne C. Ruud, Army, Private First Class.
       Donald A. Sangsland, Army, Sergeant.
       Joseph A. Schaefer, Marine Corps, Sergeant.
       Richard J. Seguin, Air Force, First Lieutenant.
       David C. Sewell, Army, Sergeant.
       Kenneth E. Slagle, Army, Private First Class.
       Marvin E. Sleppy, Air Force, Master Sergeant.
       Fred G. Smack, Army, Private First Class.
       Raymond C. Solberg, Marine Corps, Private First Class.
       Norris A. Solem, Air Force, Airman Second Class.
       Bernard L. Splittstoesser, Army, Corporal.
       John O. Strom, Army, Corporal.
       James N. Sund, Army, Corporal.

[[Page S8633]]

       Ernest C. Swanson, Air Force, Captain.
       Richard P. Swanson, Army, Private First Class.
       Randall R. Sweet, Army, Corporal.
       Richard H. Todd, Marine Corps, Sergeant.
       James E. Torgeson, Air Force, Corporal.
       Donald R. Torstad, Army, First Lieutenant.
       Lloyd O. Twidt, Army, Corporal.
       Fred L. Verant, Marine Corps, Corporal.
       Merco Joe Verrant, Army, Captain.
       Arthur R. Vossen, Army, Corporal.
       Marvin L. Whitehead, Air Force, Corporal.
       Stanton G. Wilcox, Marine Corps, First Lieutenant.
       Jerome F. Williams, Army, Private.
       Albert V. Wiswell, Army, Private.
       Jack R. Ziemer, Army, Private First Class.
       Harry R. Zupke, Army, Sergeant.
       Vernie A. Zurn, Army, Sergeant

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