OPERATION JUST CAUSE
Caring. Knowing when something is right and knowing when something is wrong. Pagans, of heart and of mind, know when a great wrong has occurred. We also know when it is time to take whatever action we can to right a great wrong...to achieve the positive results to make things right...to help the Balance.
There are men and women who are still unaccounted for from war. These men and women put their lives on the line so that we all may be able to live our lives as we do today. Because of them, we can be here to take care of our children and our loved ones.
Those Prisoners Of War and those Missing In Action need our help.
RUSSELL PETER BOTT is one such man.
RUSSELL PETER BOTT, born on a Saturday, September 5th, 1936 in North Easton, Massachusetts, has been listed as Missing In Action (MIA) since December 2nd, 1966. He was 42 years old at the time of the loss.
In late November 1966, Russell Bott and Willie Stark were inserted about 1-1/2 miles into Laos, west of the DMZ, along with a number of Vietnamese Soecial Forces (LLDB) 'strikers'. The team, a long-range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP) was soon discovered by a superior North Vietnamese force, members of the 325B NVA Division. A two-day running battle ensued.
Near the end, Bott radioed that he was down to one grenade and one magazine of ammunition. He also stated that several of the Vietnamese members of the team were dead or wounded. Willie Stark was wounded in the chest and leg, but was alive. Bott requested exfiltration at that time. He refused to leave his wounded teammate to seek safety, and in his last radio message, Bott indicated that he was going to destroy his radio...that he felt capture was imminent.
A helicopter, coming to aid, was hit by enemy fire. When it crashed, crew members were killed. Irvy Dyer, a medic from Det. B-52 Delta, who had gone in to treat the wounded, was woith them. A search of the remains from that crash never produced anything of Irby Dyer.
Searches for Russell Bott and Willie Stark were unsuccessful. Vietnamese members who evaded capture reported that they had heard North Vietnamese soldiers say, "Here you are! We've been looking for you! Tie his hands. We'll take him this way."
Sgt. First Class Norman Doney, who was Operations Sergeant at that time, overheard the Intelligence Sergeant reviewing intelkligence about Bott. Doney states that it was reported that Bott was seen with his hands tied behind his back going through a village, and that he was alive 3 days after he became missing.
Russell Bott, Irby Dyer and Willie Stark were among nearly 600 Americans lost in Laos during the Vietnam War. Although the Pathet Lao stated on several occasions thet they held "tens of tens" of American prisoners, not one man held in Laos was ever released or negotiated for. Irby Dyer died for his country. Willie Stark's fate is unknown. He may have died from his wounds or survived to be captured. Russell Bott could be one of the hundreds of Americans experts believe to be alive today. He was loyal to his comrades and to his country.
We can help by writing our Congressmen, the President and our Senators. Let them know that this has gone on for far too long...that even one second of freedom taken away is far too long. Ask for specific answers. Demand to know what is being done to find and bring home our people. And if you receive a form letter, write again.
These links will help us to help them.
We can make a difference.
THANK YOU, GUNNY!
Information provided by OPERATION JUST CAUSE, NO-QUARTER, and THE VIETNAM VETERAN'S WALL SEARCH. Graphics provided by JENNY and by RON FLEISCHER. Synopsis and Case Study provided by OPERATION JUST CAUSE and GUNNY.
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