Comments for Fair Winds & Following Seas, CAPT Speicher

Fair Winds & Following Seas, CAPT Speicher

2009-08-02T14:45:48Z

From the Navy Times
Remains of missing Gulf War pilot found
By David Brown - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Aug 2, 2009 8:19:00 EDT

The remains of Capt. Michael Scott Speicher, the F/A-18 Hornet pilot who was shot down over Iraq at the start of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, have been found, according to a Navy spokesman.

The remains were found by Marines stationed in Anbar province, who received a tip from an Iraqi citizen in early July, said Rear Adm. Frank Thorp, the Navy’s top spokesman.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead said: “Our Navy will never give up looking for a shipmate, regardless of how long or how difficult that search may be. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Captain Speicher and his family for the sacrifice they have made for our nation and the example of strength they have set for all of us.”

Sincere condolences to his widow Joanne, his daughter Meghan, his son Michael and all his family and friends..
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Comment from Maggie on 2009-08-03

2009-08-03T18:42:49Z

Larry Roman

I put up this post & unlike the Armorer, I *don't* appreciate your zeal.

I think before you go off halfcocked, you should do a little research. Just because you see a pic of CAPT Speicher at a particular rank doesn't mean that was all he ever attained.

CAPT Speicher was a LCDR when he was shot down. He was subsequently promoted to CDR then CAPT in absentia.

Think before you type.

Comment from fdcol63 on 2009-08-03

2009-08-03T17:42:06Z

Thanks for the input. I doubted the bean counters would be so bold as to try to retroactively recoup anything that was paid to the family in the interim based on the status change, but wouldn't put it past them to try to revert the rank for future benefits based on the argument that other MIA/KIA's families had not benefitted from promotions in absentia.

Comment from Attila on 2009-08-03

2009-08-03T17:21:39Z

That would be "no."

Just imagine the blowback from doing something like that...albeit there are bean counters who've tried.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-08-03

2009-08-03T15:54:11Z

I doubt it - especially if the family was drawing CAPT Speicher's pay during the intervening time.

Comment from BillT on 2009-08-03

2009-08-03T15:52:56Z

Probably not. There have been enough cases of posthumous promotion in the records to justify leaving Captain Speicher's "as-is."

Comment from fdcol63 on 2009-08-03

2009-08-03T15:41:19Z

Here's a question that I wonder if anyone can answer off the top of their heads:

In cases like this, where a servicemember's status was changed from KIA to MIA, and that person was promoted in absentia based on that change in status which now appears to have been wrong as it seems that Speicher was indeed killed when he was shot down in 1991, will his rank revert to that which he held at the time of his death?

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-08-03

2009-08-03T12:13:41Z

Mr Roman - while I commend you for your zeal and desire to correct what appears to be an error being propagated around the Internet, I really prefer to get yelled at in private, via email. As a former naval aviator, I'm sure you recall Leadership 101 classes, where we leaders were taught to "praise in public, punish in private." Perhaps the Naval Service takes a different approach from that of the Senior Service.

Aside from providing a sound understanding of basic human nature when dealing with offenses that don't rise to the level of jail, one other good reason for taking that approach in this case is that you don't look like a buffoon when you're simply wrong in your details.

Cheers,

The Armorer
Blog Owner
Major, USA, Ret.

Comment from BillT on 2009-08-03

2009-08-03T12:09:36Z

The Navy Times article mentions that he had been promoted twice after his status was changed to MIA.

Comment from Bruce Jones on 2009-08-03

2009-08-03T11:36:17Z

Wikipedia states that CAPT Speicher was promoted twice after he was shot down, due to standing policy with regards to POWs; his status was changed from KIA to MIA in 2001.

Comment from Attila on 2009-08-03

2009-08-03T10:25:07Z

Larry,

Most, if not all, the regular contributors to this blog understand the differences in Service rank designations. Some of us are even aware of the capitalization protocols ("COL" for the Army O-6 vs. "Col" for his/her USAF counterpart, LTC for the Army vs. LtCol for the Marines, etc.).

I could be wrong, but I believe Spike was promoted to Captain (USN O-6) in absentia. Maybe you can correct me.

Thanks for reading,
Attila, Col, USAF, Ret.

Comment from Larry Roman on 2009-08-03

2009-08-03T08:02:36Z

I hope that this blogsite owner will take appropriate action to remedy a rather insensitive and incredible error that persists in blogs, newsprint and TV news comments. Navy Pilot Scott Speicher WAS NOT A NAVY CAPTAIN!!! His picture shows the double silver bar designation of a Navy LIEUTENANT, the equivalent rank of an Army, Marine or Air Force Captain. The Navy uses designation of Officer ranks that are different from that of the other services. The lowest officer designation in the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force is Second Lieutenant. The equivalent rank in the Navy is ENSIGN. A Navy Captain is the equivalent rank of Colonel in the other Services. Certainly, most people are aware of the flag ranks in the services. General v. Admiral. In this case, it appears, based on the earliest references to Speicher being the first death of the war to free Kuwait, was a Lieutenant Commander. The same rank in the other Services is Major. PLEASE CORRECT THIS ERROR!!! Thank you, Larry Roman, former Naval Aviator.

Comment from Attila on 2009-08-02

2009-08-03T00:28:08Z

From one of Scott's fellow aviators who were flying with him that day...

Although we, who were on that mission with Spike, successfully pinpointed the shoot-down location, inexplicably, no combat search and rescue was launched. So for all these years, it has been of particular importance to resolve his fate. Today, we are thankful that his widow, Joanne, and his children, Meghan and Michael, finally have some closure, ending their eighteen years of torment. We pray for them and for Scott's eternal rest.

In 1991, [redacted] was little Meghan's pre-school teacher at [redacted]. As a parish, we all suffered when Scott went down, those of us on the ships in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, and those back home. Our rector, Fr. [redacted], delivered a magnificent sermon the following Sunday that is applicable today as it was then. I was able to listen weeks later after [redacted] mailed a cassette tape to the ship. For some reason, only yesterday, before hearing the news, I came across excerpts that [redacted] had transcribed years ago. Reading those words today was especially emotional. They are attached. Fr. [redacted] reminds us that Scott's sacrifice was not in vain.

"We honor his (Scott's) Lord when we commit ourselves to the costly principle that Jesus showed us, that some things are worth fighting for, some things are worth dying for. ...we serve a Lord who died that death may die, who suffered that suffering may cease, who endured injustice that justice may prevail."

Missing Man inbound...

Comment from Chris H. on 2009-08-02

2009-08-03T00:05:40Z

Welcome home, shipmate!

Spent a year at COB SPEICHER and as the only Navy unit stationed there, his memory was dear to us sandcrabs.

r/
Chris

Comment from Alan D. Briley, RN on 2009-08-02

2009-08-02T22:10:08Z

I found out today that one of my friends, and a co-worker in our emergency department, lost her only son in Iraq yesterday. Please keep her and her family in your prayers also. I will pray for her and Capt. Speicher's family. May they find peace and comfort in the arms and thoughts of their friends.

Comment from Lamigra on 2009-08-02

2009-08-02T21:51:51Z

May his family at last find peace.

Comment from AFSister on 2009-08-02

2009-08-02T20:54:12Z

Thank goodness..... I am so happy his body has been found, and that the evidence points toward death upon impact rather than torture. Although sad, this must be comforting for his family. Welcome home, Capt. Speicher. It's about damn time.

Comment from BillT on 2009-08-02

2009-08-02T19:12:30Z

The FOB to our southwest is named for him -- the first one in Iraq named in honor of a man, not an ideal or a military unit.

Comment from Boquisucio on 2009-08-02

2009-08-02T16:26:36Z

For far too long, have we waited to know. Now at least his family does know and can move on.

Comment from Cricket on 2009-08-02

2009-08-02T16:20:16Z

I am so glad he has been found and will be back home. RIP, sir. I agree with Barb...bittersweet but closure is good.

Comment from Barb on 2009-08-02

2009-08-02T15:55:33Z

Bittersweet news, but so much better to be able to bring his remains home for his family. RIP Capt. Speicher.

Comment from Argent on 2009-08-02

2009-08-02T15:11:18Z

RIP Capt. Michael Scott Speicher and thanks too to the anonymous Iraqi who let those remains be found.

Recently the last two missing remains of Australians who fought in Vietnam were found. Also airmen, two of them, Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver. In this case too locals were very helpful.