Family Doesn't Believe Speicher Died in Crash

Grateful for return of body, but official line doesn't jibe with beliefs

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 3, 2009 12:08 PM CDT

(Newser) – Scott Speicher’s family is thankful for the return of the missing pilot's remains, but isn't buying the military's conclusion that he died in a plane crash in Iraq on the opening night of the Gulf War, the Florida Times-Union reports. “We’re discrediting the rumor that he died in the crash,” the family’s lawyer said. “That’s just not accurate.” Speicher was initially declared dead; that was later changed to missing.

The family says the Pentagon theory doesn’t jibe with information they’ve collected in the 18 years since the crash, which variously indicates Speicher ejected successfully, was in an Iraqi prison, killed by Saddam Hussein, or an amnesiac wandering the desert. “The family’s been on such a roller coaster,” says one Desert Storm pilot. “No one would think it would turn into an 18-year ordeal.”

This image provided by the U.S. Navy Oct. 11, 2002 shows a photo of Navy Capt. Michael "Scott" Speicher. (AP Photo/US Navy Photo)

This a photo of Michael Scott Speicher made aboard the carrier USS Saratoga in June 18, 1990 when he was promoted to Lt. Commander. (AP Photo/Barry Hull, File)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 8 comments

JonmarkP

Aug 5, 2009 7:40 AM CDT

You gotta decide where you're recovering from your war wounds, little guy - is it Italy, Germany, the UK or the US? Or perhaps China, where you "used to live"? You disgrace those of who actually served, you fucking punk.

JonmarkP

Aug 5, 2009 5:26 AM CDT

You dumb shit, I did my two-year hitch in the Army, honorable discharge, yada yada. Where do you think I learned it was a charade? I think you're a two-bit poser. None of the folks I served with spout that rah-rah bullshit. You're a grunt, but it's the kind you find in the cat's litter box. Pissant.

Mad

Aug 4, 2009 11:35 AM CDT

Dude, when you signed up for Newser, you SAID you were from London, fucking fool!

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Family Doesn't Believe Speicher Died in Crash

Grateful for return of body, but official line doesn't jibe with beliefs

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Family Doesn't Believe Speicher Died in Crash

Grateful for return of body, but official line doesn't jibe with beliefs

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Iraq • Persian Gulf • remains • Gulf War • casualties • Desert Storm

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As US Leaves Iraq, It Eyes a Beefier Gulf Presence

US military looking to increase defense ties with states around region

US Sees Iran's Hand in Iraq Violence

June the deadliest month in two years

Saddam Sought Soviet Help in '91

Declassified records reveal attempt to head off US attack

Iraq to Pay $400M to Saddam's US Victims

Deal will help lift UN sanctions

2 US Pilots Die in Iraq Chopper Crash

'Hard landing' north of Baghdad yesterday

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