| Washington, D.C. |
| December 29, 1972 |
| Dear Mr. and Mrs.
Forrester |
| I deeply regret to inform you
that your son, First Lieutenant Ronald Wayne Forrester, USMC, has
been reported missing in action since approximately 8:20 p.m. on
27 December 1972. He was the bombardier/navigator of an A6A
aircraft that departed Nam Phong, Thailand at 7:44 p.m. for a
night mission in North Vietnam.
Electronic surveillance is
being maintained and every possible effort is being made to
locate the missing aircraft. You will be informed of all
developments. Since the possibility exists that your son is being
held captive by a hostile force, it is suggested that you refrain
from furnishing any persons outside of your immediate family with
any background data regarding his personal history and military
service. Release of such information could adversely affect this
welfare since it may be used for coercion and propaganda
purposes. Please accept on behalf of the United States Marine
Corps our deepest sympathy during this period of
uncertainty.
|
| Sincerely,
General R.E. Cushman,
Jr.
|
| A. LtCol. J.C.
Brown
"Lt. Forrester is a very
military individual, and he is in outstanding physical condition.
He has complete control of himself and should hold up well in
captivity."
|
| B. Major K.C.
Bateman
"Lt. Forrester is in
outstanding physical condition. He is a very stable individual
and should be able to withstand any type of pressure presented to
him while in captivity."
|
| C. Capt. B.N. Caviness
- a friend of Lt. Forrester
"Lt. Forrester is very
religious and a military minded individual. He is in outstanding
physical condition and should have no problem if
captured."
|
| D. Lt. P.S. Blair -
also a good friend of Lt. Forrester
"Lt. Forrester is in good
physical condition. He is very level headed and could hold up
well during a long period of captivity."
|
|