Officials Identify Gulf War Pilot's Remains
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2009 -- Remains found last month in Iraq's Anbar province are those of Navy Capt. Michael Scott Speicher, who was shot down flying a combat mission in an F/A-18 Hornet on Jan. 17, 1991, and whose fate until now had been uncertain, Defense Department officials reported today.
Acting on information provided by Iraqi civilians, Marines stationed in Anbar province went to a desert location believed to be the crash site of Speicher's jet, and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology positively identified remains recovered there Speicher's.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Captain Speicher's family for the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country," Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said. "I am also extremely grateful to all those who have worked so tirelessly over the last 18 years to bring Captain Speicher home."
The Navy's top uniformed officer also praised the effort to determine Speicher's fate and expressed gratitude for the fallen aviator's sacrifice. "Our Navy will never give up looking for a shipmate, regardless of how long or how difficult that search may be," said Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations. "We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Captain Speicher and his family for the sacrifice they have made for our nation and the example of strength they have set for all of us."
In early July, an Iraqi civilian told Marines he knew two people who recalled an American jet crashing and the remains of the pilot being buried. One of those people said he was present when Bedouins found Speicher dead and buried his remains. The Iraqis led Marines to the site, and the Marines searched the area. Remains were recovered over several days during the past week and were flown to Dover Air Force Base, Del., for scientific identification by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology's Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner.
The recovered remains include bones and skeletal fragments. Positive identification was made by comparing Speicher's dental records with the jawbone recovered at the site. The teeth are a match, both visually and radiographically, officials said.
While dental records have confirmed the remains to be Speicher's, officials said, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology DNA Lab in Rockville, Md., is running DNA tests on the remains and comparing them to DNA reference samples previously provided by his family. Results are expected tomorrow.
Links:
Michael Scott Speicher - Wikipedia
US Pilot's Remains Found in Iraq After 18 Years - Voice of America
After 18 Years, Remains of Pilot Shot Down in Iraq Found - Washington Post
US Pilot's Remains Found in Iraq After 18 Years - New York Times
US Identifies Remains of Pilot Missing in Persian Gulf War - Los Angeles Times
Speicher Remains Found in Iraq, Identified - Washington Times
Sands Hid Fate of Gulf War Pilot Lost Since '91 - Associated Press
Remains of First US Gulf War Casualty Found - Reuters
Remains of First US Gulf War Casualty Solve 18 Year Mystery - Christian Science Monitor
Comments
Mr. Ali Albader,
While I cannot accept your condolences on behalf of the Speicher family, nor other sons and daughters of America who served in Desert Storm - I can say that as one who served there with 1st Marine Division - I do appreciate your comment here - very much so. Thank you and God bless.
Dave D.
On behalf of all the kuwaiti people and on behalf of Kuwait itself , I would like to extend my sincere condolences to The Speicher family and friends . Michaels memory will be in our hearts , souls and prayers till infinity , like all the other brave sons of America who gave their lives to liberate our home land.
May God bless their souls and help their families and friends.
Ali Albader
Kuwait
CAPT Speicher,
Be thou at peace sir, In another job, in another time, I was tasked to find you. We searched long and hard. We finally found you. Your duty is done. I pray now for your family. We finally laid you to rest. You were never forgotten.
Sleep well brother; your duty is done.
Respectfully,
Major Few