The Honorable Tom Harkin
731 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20510-2202
29 July 2000
Senator Harkin,
Good day, sir. I want to start off by thanking you from the bottom of my heart for your bravery in revealing the facts you discovered about "tiger cages." Without that information, persons such as myself, who were born after the end of the Vietnam War, might not know all of the atrocities that took place. I also thank you for your five years of active duty as a Navy pilot during the war.
It is in regards to another Navy pilot, Commander Frank Clifford Green, Jr., that I write this letter. Green was assigned to the Attack Squadron 212 on board the USS Hancock, and when he launched in his A4F Skyhawk on 10 July 1972, it would be the last time that his fellow crew mates would ever hear from him. Shortly after completing their first mission of the night, Green and his wingman started on their second mission, to locate and destroy any targets of opportunity they might find. Shortly after the two made an unlighted bomb attack, the wingman observed a small flash, then a large, fuel type secondary explosion on the ground. Since no contact with Green could be made, it was suspected that the crash was that of Green's aircraft. A search and rescue team was sent immediately after. While they did not find Green, they noticed that his aircraft had been camouflaged. It can only be assumed that either Green died and the enemy camouflaged his plane, or he was captured alive, and the enemy camouflaged his plane. The fact remains that Green is still missing, and undoubtedly, the North Vietnamese can account for him. The families of those still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War and concerned individuals such as myself need the help of persons such as yourself in gaining an accounting for these heroes who wrong fully were abandoned by the country they so willingly chose to serve. Please, if you know of anyway in which you can help me in my quest for finding the location of Commander Green, I beseech of you, please do it. Thank you again for all your tremendous work, and God bless.
Respectfully,
Stacey N. Jones
September 8, 2000
Dear Stacey,
Thank you for your kind words. I can't tell you how much easier your support makes my job here in Washington.
I appreciate your sharing your concerns regarding the case of Commander Frank Clifford Green, Jr.
As a veteran and a U.S. Senator from a state with 38 POW/MIAs, I have been deeply concerned about this issue. America must never forget its POW/MIAs. They must be foremost in our thoughts and prayers. I have taken the liberty of forwarding your letter to Department of Defense, asking for any information they might have regarding this troubling case. I will let you know when I hear back from them. In the meantime, I want to assure you that I will keep your views in mind, should any legislation on this issue reach the floor of the Senate.
Sincerely,
[signed]
Tom Harkin
United States Senator
November 7, 2000
Dear Stacey,
As you know, I wrote to the Department of Defense on your behalf about your concern regarding the case of Navy Commander Frank C. Green, Jr. Enclosed is the response I recently received from them. If you have any further questions or concerns about this matter, please don't hesitate to contact me.
If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to call my office. I look forward to hearing from you again on this or any issue of importance to you.
Sincerly,
[signed]
Tom Harkin
United States Senator