February 18, 2000
The Honorable Senator John McCain
241 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20501
Dear Senator,
We would like to know what is being done to determine the fate of SP5 Armando
Ramirez-USASF, crew chief member of the 155th Assault Helicopter company, who
was last seen trapped beneath the wreckage of his UH1H helicopter after the
chopper was hit by ground fire and crashed near Highway 13 in Kracheh Province,
some 75 miles into Cambodia, on May 23, 1969. Ramirez was still alive but his
crew was pinned down by heavy enemy fire and was unable to reach the wreckage
to help him. The decision was made to evacuate the surviving crew and team
members and bodies of the dead, but because the helicopter wreckage could not be
moved without the aid of heavy machinery, the men were forced to leave Ramirez
behind.
Two days later, a search and recovery team arrived at the site to find that not only was
their no sign of Ramirez, but also that a road had been cleared and the chopper was
gone. There is no evidence that Ramirez was killed and he is known to have been
capable of surviving under harsh conditions.
Please advise us of any action that is being taken by you or any other elected or appointed
official to determine his fate. In the event there is nothing being done, please explain
why not, and tell us how you personally plan to correct this and prevent it from ever
happening again.
Sincerely,
(Woofys)
This letter was sent Mr. McCains Arizona office as well as Washington D.C.
We have not heard from the Senator as of yet.
We will post his reply as soon as it arrives.
