"Satch,

At the time of the various Cold War losses, there was no formal "enemy" but people killed in those operations are just as dead as those who were shot down during wartime. I certainly think they are deserving of recognition by a "grateful" government. Those of us who survived never were awarded anything either and I for one, don't care, but I do think that those who died during the Cold War should be honored for serving their country during dangerous times and making the supreme sacrifice." 

    --- Email excerpt from a former Patrol Plane Commander

PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY

A stubborn, cruel hope was created that he was still alive.

"Mary Darling,             January 11, 1954
The first report reaching me was "no survivors". The "missing" report came several hours later and I felt I had sustained the worst from the first and it would not help to build up hope----only to be plunged back to the depths.

Love you so very much, Polly"

 

At the time of my fathers disappearance, my mother was told that my father was on a "training flight" when both of his engines eventually failed forcing him to ditch into the Yellow Sea. This was confirmed in a letter found in my mothers records. This same letter would also disclose to me, for the first time, that Mother held the belief that my father may have been captured by the Chinese. If Mother believed the Chinese may have captured her husband then she did not believe that the plane crashed where the Navy had indicated it crashed. 

-- Actual Map sent to my Mother --

On the only map that was ever sent to her, the location was marked as being off the southwestern tip of Korea. Her old letters also revealed to me her fruitless efforts to get answers and details from the Chinese as well as the American governments about her missing husband. Until I read these letters, I knew nothing of these concerns she held, for she seldom discussed Daddy’s disappearance. Despite being told that my father could not have survived the cold winter temperatures of the waters, for years, I prayed that he would return.