Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2001 02:06:37 -0400

Commander Bucher came to my High school sometime in the early 70's. He gave a very moving presentation, and told us what you men were subjected to, and how your faith in God helped you cope and persevere. I know many of us definitely went home that day with a much deeper appreciation of the price of freedom! Thank you all! Bill Rice

Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2001 10:17:57 +0200

Thank you for your e-mail and the permission for publishing materials from your web site. It is a very generous gesture and I my sure that Polish readers will appreciate it. I have a proposal for your organisation. If you send me a piece of information about the USS Pueblo Veterans Association I will add it to my article. But I must warn you that the magazine is published six times a year so it will take some time to print my paper. The story about Polish participation in Pueblos's moving from the east to the west coast of the North Korea started existing among sailors of Polish Merchant Fleet about 1978 - 1979. Two my friend and I have taken measures to find true but we have not been able to meet any man who personally had taken part in the operations. We told with many sailors but finally they usually said; "I was not in North Korean but my friend have a colleague who knew ...,etc". At present we assume that it is possible that Polish sailors manned in 1978 - 1979 North Korean's ships during her way from the east to the west but it is hardly possible that it was Pueblo. According to my knowledge Polish participation in moving Pueblo in 1999 or 2000 is impossible. When the communism collapsed in my country relationship between North Korea and Poland became very official and rather cool. We are not interested in secret co-operation with Kim's regime. If North Korea have used Polish flag during moving Pueblo they would have committed illegal act and abused international low. On the second hand many Polish sailors work as a "free lancers" at the international job's trade and in theory it is possible that some people signed contracts with North Korea but I personally can not believe that it happened. As you see my help is not especially worthy but I have to assure you that we will follow the "Polish trace" and I will inform you about results of our researches. Very respectfully, Krzysztof Kubiak

Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2001 13:14:32 -0400

Pueblo folks - I'm the news editor for Navy Times newspaper. We're working on a story about being taken prisoner in "less-than-war" situations, and would like to contact Lloyd Pete Bucher and Ed Murphy Jr. Would you be able to put us in touch with them? And - - is there anyone else from the PUEBLO crew you think would be good for us to talk to? Many thanks for any help you can give. Chris Cavas News Editor Navy Times703-750-8644

Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2001 10:21:06 -0700

My name is Kate Casey and I work at the 24 hour News Cable Network MSNBC. Right now we are devoting almost all of our coverage to the story of the U.S. surveillane plane being held by China. We are keeping a close eye on the White House, the Pentagon and of course the actions of the Chinese government. We would like to include in our coverage the story of the USS Pueblo. You and your fellow crew members have a unique perspective of what happens when a crew and the surveillance equipment the crew operates come under the control of a foreign nation. I am writing to ask for your help in locating veterans from the USS Pueblo who were captured and held prisoner for eleven months. I would like to request an interview with these veterans to be broadcast live on MSNBC. We would like to ask them about their experience thirty-four years ago and their reaction to todays events. I can be reached at 1-800-813-8255 extension 5294. I look forward to speaking with you and your fellow veterans. Sincerely, Kate Casey

Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2001 23:22:14 -0700

With the Chinese detention and capture of our EP-3 aircraft on Hainan, I immediately thought of the North Korean capture of your ship. In an E-mail to President Bush I mentioned how eerily this detention and capture reminded me of your fate. Congratulation on having this web site out there so that the Pueblo's story and the story of her men will not be lost. Fair winds and following seas to you all, CDR A. Eric Bergstrom, USNR Retired Morgan Hill, California Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 19:06:10 -0700 With the Chinese piracy of one of our planes, it called to attention another time one of our vessels was hijacked-- the USS Pueblo. I have added a link to your site on the USS Starr (AKA-67) web site. Maybe, someday, we can get your ship back, too. Respectfully, Thomas Duvernay http://www.ussstarr.org http://www.shinmiyangyo.org

Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2001 23:26:53 EDT

I find it very interesting and curious that there is no mention of a USAF RF-4C with two crewmembers aboard that went down over Seoul during a reconnaissance flight as a result of the capture of the Pueblo. This accident happened on the 8th of February 1968. DSueHanneken

Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 12:26:35 -0500

Dear USS Pueblo Veterans,

This recent China incident led me to explore your web site. I would just like to thank each of you for your service to our country. I too often take for granted the brave service that men like you have given for us. I was seven years old when your captivity began. Thank you and God bless each of you. Sincerely,Ben Endres

Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 15:44:58 EDT

Was the USS Pueblo ever returned to the US? I actually heard this question on TV during the current situation with the "Intelligence gathering plane". Any help? BARPHIE

Date: Tue, 03 Apr 2001 14:40:23 -0700

Excellent web site. Congratulations! My cursory review of its contents failed to reveal the fate of the ship itself. I probably overlooked it, but could you advise if the U. S. Government was ever told of the ship's final disposition? Thank you. Lee Hall

Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 12:58:28 -0700

Well here we go again! I do hope the crew in this incident will be treated better than you were and that they will be returned home safe and soon. My name is (SSGT USAFSS) Wesley L. Kessel and I attended Korean language training at DLI with Hammond & Chicca. Robert Hammond and I were friends. I was stationed at Osan AFB and rotated to Offutt AFB just prior to the 'incident'. I was sent back to Osan immediately and we worked as close to 24 hour days as was humanly possible in the hope that we might facilitate your return. I'm sorry that our efforts did not bear fruit to that end. This latest 'incident' opened the old wounds & feelings for my friends and fellow 'comint community members'. I have often wondered how Hammond was doing. Not only were we friends and drinking buddies at DLI but my wife was also from (Nashua) New Hampshire. I tried to follow reports of the crew members and prayed that they were able to recover from the scars I know they must have carried. An interesting sidebar: While I was in Osan on the midnight shift I wrote a book of all the coverterms used by the N.K. that I could find. I cross referenced the older terms with the new terms. I did it because the N.K. usually recycled old coverterms and also because mids were usually boring since the N.K. rarely flew at night. You are all a credit to our country and you deserved better from our government. Wes

Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 21:37:04 EDT Read a transcript of today's interview, fielded e-mail questions, with CDR Bucher on the EP-3; I think he did a great job. Not that one should speculate, but the damn EP-3 mess looks like a bushwack -- shades of Pueblo in the sky. Finally, I was sorry not to see the kind of reporting on the 30th anniversary of the incident that it deserved, how conveniently forgetful folks are -- until something like this surfaces. Best of luck to all the USS Pueblo crew -- and our people on Hainan! Regards, Bryan Niemiec, Major (USAF, Ret.)

Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001

Gentlemen: I remember the incident, I was 20 years old in Hong kong. working my way to US. Even then it made my blood boil even though I had not lived in this country, especially since I had been in Hong Kong almost a year, and I had had a chance to study the mentality of the people. The incident was nothing but an escuse to provocate or escalate the incident into an all out confrontation. Had the incident been handled correctly we would not have the trouble today. especially, what went on with the previous administration, and now the airplane incident. Sincerely, Peter Navin

Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2001 10:44:23 -0500

Hello, As a former USASA Elint analyst working North Korean and Chinese sites during 1969-1970, I am interested in your reaction to the current Sino-American confrontation. Upon visiting http://www.usspueblo.org/v2f/incident/incidentframe.html I was struck by Skip Schumacher's introductory remark, "All mostly unanswered questions, but well worthy of further research and study, lest it happen again (which it has!). I do have a question that you or the USS Pueblo Veterans' Association membership might assist me in answering. While working as a Elint analyst (MOS 98J30), with USASAOC Kanghwa Do, Korea, I heard about an audio recording of requests for help from USS Pueblo (indeed, pleadings for help!), but never actually hear such a recording. Could your organization's members help me research and address my interest in this question? Thank you for your good work! Sincerely, Roy Lewis

Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2001 19:17:57 -0400

Gentlemen;

In light of the current situation in China, I am moved to "touch base" and am reminded of your epic sacrifice, courageous behavior, and genuine heroism during the attack, and it's 11 month aftermath. Regardless of how this incident is handled, (one can only hope our current leadership gets them out now!!), the men of Pueblo are heroes who cannot be adequately thanked or rewarded (would that you could). Fair winds and following seas, shipmates, Roy Mantei USN 1967-1971

Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2001 00:28:47 -0700

Gentlemen, I am 46 years old, have never been in the service, and I suppose have led a sheltered life. Bravery seems to be the product of surviving intense fear. I have never felt the fear that you and your shipmates felt every moment of your time in captivity. I feel fortunate to have read every word in every nook of your site. I am saddened that not all of you survived. My heart is lifted to know that as long as this medium exists, there will be a record of the way it really happened. Because of the current incident in China, thanks to this site, my children can now study the USS Pueblo and will hopefully be able to see this new "incident" through more educated eyes. Let me say that I am proud of the way you conducted yourselves and I, for one, will never forget what I have learned from you telling your story. May the wind always be at your back. God be with you and yours. Brian Smith Burbank, CA Gosh.....I truly can't express my feelings......Thank you!!!

Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2001 07:52:15 -0600

Dear Sirs:

I like your web site and found it very informative. Many, many years ago, Lee Hays came thru Cody, Wyoming, on a speaking tour. My wife and I were fortunate enough to have him stay at our house. Though I was separated from active USN service in 1962, I had, and have strong feelings for what happened to the USS Pueblo, both as an ex-Navy guy and as a patriot. All vets and most others, knew that our military and/or political brains handled the Pueblo's day of capture very poorly. I was attending Northwest Community College in Powell, Wyoming at this time. US Senator Gale McGee (D-WY) came to speak at an all-student assembly. A vet (there were quit a bunch of us in school) in the audience asked the Senator why our government and military were moving so slowly against North Korea in the matter of getting the Pueblo and its crew our of the hands of communist North Korea. Senator McGee said military personnel should expect to end up in situations like what the Pueblo's crew was in - that that was their job (as though it were a normal peace time event, for ships to be hi-jacked on the high-seas and crews held prisoner!)! Gale McGee was not reelected. Now we have a strikingly similar peace time situation in China. One of our US Navy surveillance aircraft was attacked (or in some way damaged by Chinese jet fighter aircraft) in international waters and was forced to make an emergency landing at the closest available point, an air base on Hainan Island, China. Undoubtedly, the Chinese are seeing the arrival of this aircraft and its crew, as one great big intelligence gift package, and like a Thanksgiving turkey, will gleefully pick it clean, even while screaming "injured party!". Will we, once again, let our peace-time service men and women remain in captivity for 11 months? Let's hope we have the backbone, resolve, and loyalty to stick up for our "captured" military personnel. After all, we are the injured party. Sincerely, Jason Long

Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2001 23:33:04 -0500

Did the crew feel that at any time during the attack that US forces would come to your aid?And during your time as a POW how did the crew feel about the US not sending any fighter jets in?These are questions I would have had if I would have been in your situation.And lastly I Salute the crew of the Pueblo for their service to their country!!!! Thank You Rick Zim

Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2001 12:52:43 -0500

A history channel episode implied that the Commies were able to use this machine for years because it had not been destroyed and the Navy concealed even its existence on the Pueblo for years. In May of 1957, I reported to the 24th Divisions combat outpost on the Korean DMZ as a new Infantry 2nd Lt. and discovered that the unit's weapons were locked in theCompany supply room in order to prevent firearms accidents in barracks. The troops had claimchecks and lined up at the supply room door when Alerts were called. It's not just the Navy. In peace-time civilians are not interested in the military or its problems. WAS THERE SUCH A CODE MACHINE? If we had one on the DMZ in 1957, Charlie would have easily gotten it.Jim Mulvaney, Park Ridge, Il

Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2001 10:01:14 -0700

Dear Crew Members (military & civilian alike)...I just finished watching your interview on C-SPAN and I remember the capture of the USS Pueblo VERY WELL! My own husband was in the Navy at the time and we were stationed at Treasure Island, where I worked. I worked in the computer room on base. It was during the time that Lyndon Johnson was sending thousands and thousands of our boys to Vietnam. I was livid about the "Pueblo Incident." In fact, when we took our jobs as civil servants we had to sign an agreement that we would not participate in any political action groups or protests but I was sooooo angry about the Pueblo that I defied that agreement. If you remember, Goldwater...the man I voted for...had just lost the election. I made my own bumper sticker that said, "IF GOLDWATER WERE PRESIDENT WE WOULD HAVE THE PUEBLO BACK BY NOW!!!" I remember that time like it was yesterday. I also remember what a great president Goldwater would have made!!! Sharolyn K Gemmell, Pendleton, Oregon

Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2001 00:02:21 -0400

You may be interested in this new site on human rights for North Korea. www.chosunjournal.com

Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2001 21:16:56 -0600

Dear Sir, I just found your website tonight. I am the secretary for the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum in Pueblo Colorado. Our museum is expanding into a new 30,000 square foot hangar that will display approximately half of the aircraft in our inventory. In addition to the aircraft, we are developing displays related to key events in US military history. The capture of the USS Pueblo was a key event in the Cold War. I am writing your association to seek its help in developing a display to tell the story of the USS Pueblo. If any of the members of your association would like to donate stories, photographs, or any other artifacts related to the USS Pueblo for display it would be greatly appreciated. Persons wishing to donate items to the museum for future display should contact the museum at: Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum ATTN: Dr. Ray Sisson Pueblo, CO Also I see from your webpage that you are planning to have a reunion in Pueblo in 2001. Please consider visiting our museum as part of any activities you may have planned during the reunion. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you. Jason Unwin Secretary Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum Pueblo

Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2001 04:30:26 -0400

Greetings: In January/February 1967 I did a tour on the Banner. While off Wonson, but out of sight of land, I recall that we were approached by North Korean patrol boats. No visual contact was made but we knew they were scanning us with their radar. I do not know how far out we were at the time. We were almost certainly in international waters, but as you well know this would not have been a deterrent to them engaging us. I have no idea why we were not approached for visual contact but we were expecting it. Being the only Korean linguist aboard I was summoned to the bridge of the ship, to act as interpreter should it have become necessary. In January 1968 I was serving in Vietnam. At the time I was at the Khe Sahn combat base, where we were being shelled daily and a ground attack was believed to be imminent. Within a day or so of the Pueblo's capture I was ordered to immediately proceed to Kami Seya, Japan. It took several days for me to arrive there. After a short briefing on the situation I was flown to the Sea of Japan, where I landed on the U.S.S. Ranger. This was probably about 1 February or so, 1968. I believe the Ranger stayed on station in the Sea of Japan for all of February and into March. Towards the end of March or maybe early April the Ranger left station and I was flown back to Kami Seya. I was on Okinawa in April 1968, awaiting a flight back to Vietnam, when Martin Luther King was murdered. After finishing my tour in Vietnam, in September 1968, I was assigned to Fort Meade for duty. I retired from military service there in September 1972. Hope this helps you in some way. Charles Vidsens GySgt USMC Retired

Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2001 17:49:15 -0400

I just visited your web site. I was looking for information on the Pueblo. All I remember is that it happened when I was in grade school. My dad was in the Army and we were in Germany. Also we had only access to Armed Forces Radio; when we were not out playing. In light of the current situation with China, I wanted to see how the two compared. Apperently they are both very similar. We will just have to see how long it takes for these crew members to come home. It was very eye opening to read the account of what you men went through during that time. It is good that everyone remember that there are many things that happen in the world that may not affect you now, but just wait a few years and then they will. You site is great I will pass along your site. I will be looking in from time to time to see what new things you have added and to finish reading thing I missed. Sincerely Sharon Army Brat 1954-1971

Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2001 09:11:12 -0400

I think of you guys with this crew in china. I hope we can do things different, so we don't hurt ourselves so much. Tom Petrie ETN3R-R USS Charles F. Adams DDG-2

Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2001 13:45:40 -0400

Hi, My name is Tom Williams, a retired Chief Warrant Machinist that was aboard the USS Atakapa (ATF 149) also an intelligence gathering vessel. In the summer of 1968 the Atakapa operated in the Med and the Palm Beach the North Atlantic, I didn't go aboard the Atakapa until October of 1968, which was after the capture of the Pueblo. That winter much of the time in installing destruction devices ranging from magnesium plates above all the files and electronic equipment, some explosive devices attached to the hull in all the sections of the ship, but heavily in the engine room and motor room. The crew also went to survival training. We did get some maintenance work done including a yard job to repair the evaporators which was a failure, we could make some water but not the way they should have worked, In April, 1969 we departed for Europe accompanied by the Palm Beach, at the Azores the Palm Beach continued into the Med and we headed for Rothsyth, Scotland for a few days of liberty and have the dockyard look at our evaps, look was all they did because the Badgers were strangers to them. From there we steamed northward to the northern areas of Norway and spent a couple weeks looking for Russians to make their annual trek to the Med. They didn't come out of Murmansk then nor all the summer of 69. We made a few northern ports but the NSG pulled us back and we sat in Portsmouth, England for about six weeks before heading to Spain and a rendezvous with the Palm Beach and headed for home. That summer was quite unproductive for both of us. When we got back to Little Creek the word came to decommission the Palm Beach and convert the Atakapa back to a fleet tug. While I was there we never did get all our salvage and diving gear. A couple years later the Atakapa was taken over by USNS as a tug. About 1978 it was mothballed in the James River fleet and later taken out to sea as a target ship for the Harry S. Truman. The USS Atakapa has a web site, but nothing in it about her stint as a spy ship, and in your site you mention the Banner, Palm beach and Pueblo, along with the Liberty, but no word of the Atakapa. Tom

Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2001 14:29:49 -0500

Holt, Rinehart and Winston (HRW) is a publisher of educational materials for the secondary school market. We have created a website containing activities for the social studies. We want to provide hyperlinks to sites that we feel will be of frequent interest to the teachers and students who are accessing our site. We request permission to include your site named The Pueblo Incident as a hyperlink from the HRW Site to the following location on your web site: http://www.usspueblo.org/v2f/incident/incidentframe.html. We understand that your grant of permission for this link does not constitute an endorsement or sponsorship of HRW or its publications, nor does it imply that you have granted any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights to HRW. This new site will be going on line very quickly. If these terms are acceptable to you, please confirm your consent by sending us an email response as soon as possible. Your approval by email will be verification that you are the responsible party at your company for approving this request. Thank you. We look forward to receiving your response. Lauren Nance CCP Intern Holt, Rinehart and Winston 1120 South Capital of TX Hwy Austin, TX 78746 U.S.A. (512) 314-6890

Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 08:27:58 -0400

It is a privilege to communicate with you and your fellow crew members. I agree that we are a special breed, and that we did share special times. I have forwarded your email to my entire listing of former shipmates. Also, my fellow organizers of our reunion have agreed that our agenda will include a "moment of Silence" in memory of all deceased former crew members of USS Pueblo and USS Liberty, and we will conduct this memorium during the opening Benediction, when we meet in reunion next year. Please keep in touch, and all the best. JJ Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 23:40:22 -0400 Sirs, The recent incident in China made me remember the USS Pueblo Incident back in 1968 when I was 9 years old. I was proud of the way that our servicemen - the members of the Pueblo conducted themselves back in 1968 and how similar it seemed this recent incident was/is. Our nation would be wise to consider the sacrifices that our people make when they choose to dedicate a portion of their lives to defend our country and it's interests. I would like to offer my thanks to all those who put their lives at risk every day for our freedom and to let them know in my own small way that I do consider them to be the finest people we have and how lucky all Americans are that those people are ot there. My best to the crew members of the Pueblo and to the crew members involved in the recent incident with China. As a grateful citizen my thanks to you for the job you have done and continue to do! John Schaefer Charlotte,NC "A slick way to outfigure a person is to get him figuring you figure he's figuring you're figuring he'll figure you aren't really figuring what you want him to figure you figure." ..... Whitey Herzog

Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2001 18:34:14 -0500

Sir: I do need to point out that the Navy Cross is the second highest award. The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest, Great site! I'm sure that you will have lots of visitors! Regards John Folsom

[Editor's Note: Navy Cross is the highest Naval award]

Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2001 09:44:47 -0600 (MDT)

I am sure that this recent encounter with the Chinese over US intelligence operations must have brought back haunting memories to the crew of the USS Pueblo. The Pueblo "incident" happened shortly after we, on the Banner had a threatening contact with the Chi Coms. This is what I remember. I was the standing quartermaster of the midwatch one night/morning when we spotted two lights on the horizon dead ahead about 7 miles. The lights separated to port and starboard, and then there were more - 6 distinguishable in all. As our courses came closer we could distinguish their navigational lights and with the coming dawn we could see that they were Chinese communist gun boats. In the following hours they surrounded us, moving about to within 20 yards range. It was a strange and threatening setting. These boats were probably part of their national guard. About 60 feet long - designed for fishing. I remember that there were lines running from the masts with fish drying on them. Each of these boats had a machine gun mounted on the forward deck - about the size of a 50 calibre or somewhat larger. And they were all manned and pointed at us - one gunner and another person holding the ammo belt. There was a portrait on Chairman Mao on the pilothouse bulkhead of each of these boats. An inscription read : (as interpreted from one of our foreign language guys) "Chairman Mao is the envy of our hearts". Isn't this a comfortable situation? Our total armament at the time consisted of 4 M-1 rifles, 6 45 cal. pistols, 2 Thomson submachine guns on the bridge, 2 22 cal. rifles and 50 percussion hand grenades. Not quite a match. We had put out a distress call for help. And we got the same response that the Pueblo got some weeks later - nothing! I personally figured that we were doomed. So, In my own way I fucked with them. When I was relieved from watch I went up on the signal bridge. The Chinese were keenly observing us. Assuming that tobacco was a luxury to them, I would light a cigarette, take a couple of puffs - and throw it into the sea. I did this several times and I could see that it was pissing them off. It was a great laugh for me although I knew that it might be my last. It was my way of saying FUCK YOU !!! I can't recall if we raised the stars and stripes during this encounter (we never flew the flag while on missions) , which is interesting because it is hard to say in which way this influenced them. The outcome was that we went to all ahead full - a whopping 12 knots - and they grouped together in our wake and let us be. I have no idea why. We returned to Yokosuka, Japan. The powers evaluated everything. We were given more armament - 3 50 cal. machine guns. The Pueblo came to Japan. Went on her first mission. And the rest is history. Ralph

Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2001 14:17:40 EDT

hello sir:

I discovered this website after reading some material about the pueblo. I read every word and am amazed that this incident does not get more attention. Is there any way I could get a "remember the pueblo" button to wear as a way of reminding people about the whole history? MorrisMercury

Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2001 18:58:32 -0400

Dear Veterans:

Thank you for having this sight on the web. I am a historian of many types of military things and I only briefly heard about the Pueblo beeing captured when I was in grade school oh about 20 years ago. I as at a private school. I am currenlty a PC2 in the Reserves. I served on the USS Constellation (CV-64) in the eighties. I just wanted you to know thank you for all that you have been through. PC2 Robert Legnaioli

Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2001 10:24:28 EDT

Hello! My name is Mark Greene. I have, over the course of the last 5 years, read most of the books (8 of the 12 I know about) about the USS Pueblo and the trials her crew endured. I would like to first offer my thanks to you for your service to your country. I cannot imagine what these last two weeks have been like with the crew of the naval plan being held by the Chinese, and the pubilicity and support that has been given them when compared to your ordeal. I have a small request. I would like to use the gif of the patch from the title page on a new web page I'm working on with a link to this one. I would also like to post it on my ebay page (http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/coin3/) where I currrenly have a link to your page. Please note that I would most definitely *not* be selling any Pueblo related items on eBay or otherwise using this for any commercial purposes. My sole intention is to be able to share with others the link to your site so that they may learn about the Pueblo and her crew. Thank you for your time, Mark Greene

Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001 17:12:38 -0600 (MDT)

got a letter from my Pueblo friend and he said that he is going to share my story with the rest of the crew. He said "you sure knew how to piss um off. Sure gives you a little fuzzy feeling when you know you have pulled one off on them". You might remember that either Time or Life magazine had a cover picture of Pueblo crewmen with their hands on their laps, and all giving the finger. These were some ballsy guys. They frequently gave the Koreans the finger (told them that it was the Hawaiian good luck sign) When the Koreans found out what it really meant the severely beat many of the crew. These guys were in as ugly an environment as is imaginable and the still kept the spirit. Makes me proud to be an American Veteran! Ralph

Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 09:16:23 EDT

If I could remember James last name It would be great. In December 1967 I spent a few great days with 2 good buddies while on leave from Ft.Dix NJ. All three of us were named "James" . James from " USS Pueblo" James from "USS Forrestall" and James "Ft Dix NJ." We all met at a USO club in Philadelphia and became instant friends. I remember , especially that time, being very special. As we said goodbye, Little Jimmy was headed back to his ship in San Diego, and Big Jimmy to the Forrestal heading out to Viet Nam. And Army Jimmy was headed for Germany. The next month I had learned of the Capture in Korea. I was wondering how Little Jimmy was doing. Since he was a fighter by nature, I figured he was giving the Koreans a handfull. I also worried about big Jimmy, The Forrestal had had that large fire on board the Aircraft Carrier. I wish them well! Jim Meade

Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2001 10:19:46 -0400

Good morning, my name is Christopher Munsey. I am a newspaper reporter with Navy Times newspaper, and I am writing a story about the current status of the USS Pueblo. I have interviewed two people by telephone who visited the ship in 1999. Please contact me if you have also visited the ship. My toll-free number is 800-424-9335, ext. 8674. Thank you, Chris Munsey, Navy Times.

Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 20:28:10 -0400

I was on the Ticonderoga(CVA-14) when it was tied up alongside you all in Bremerton. What are those two little things with a Marine out front? That was a question that was really being asked a lot at the time. I was on the Ticonderoga when you were captured and we left the Tonkin Gulf to be a part of the largest armada since WWII, or so they told us. I was a Radarman and you could see the big ship in the middle with and then the ships on down in size, making that circle on the radar. Somebody said the weather had turned sour and they couldn't get good pictures so the huge circle was never perfected but just the initial grouping was quite impressive . I was in San Diego when you guys came home. As a matter of fact I was downtown. I have always admired you all and have been supportive when the matter is discussed. I had a friend and high school classmate who died on the Liberty. Maybe it's because of Jack Raper's death and my having crossed paths with your ship that I'm always a bit troubled when I hear or read lists of those we should remember and thank for our freedom and I don't find the Pueblo, Liberty, and others mentioned. You all have my lifelong thanks and admiration. Wayne Beck

Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 16:15:25 EDT

I was on the Yorktown during the time you were seized. A newspaper reporter wrote about what it was like on the Yorktown. I took the article and put some pictures to it.<A HREF="http://aspecialdayguide.com/artistexchange/pueblo.htm"> http://aspecialdayguide.com/artistexchange/pueblo.htm</A> the web address is just a temporary address. I hope to take command of the www.ussyorktown.com website in a few weeks and then perhaps you could link to us once this article gets a permanent address? I've already decided that we should link to your website. As you can see it got hairy for us too. Russian bombers buzzing us and Russian frigate getting inside our screen. Almost lost a chopper (with a pilot who ended up making full admiral and presidential advisor later in life) Nothing, of course, compared to what you guys went through. I know that nobody can repay you for your sacrifice and service to your Navy and country. I appreciate it as a fellow sailor and as an American. As the Marines say "semper fi". Daniel A. Bernath PH2 USN 1966 to 1970

Date: 4/24/2001 9:26:27 Mountain Daylight Time

Sir,

As yours was the only e-mail address that I found on the USS Pueblo web site, please share with your ship mates our great pleasure to see in this mornings Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the crew is to be honored this week at the National Prisoner of War Museum in Andersonville. Georgia. Although the recognition's that you have and will receive are long overdue. In light of you heroic service, under the most difficult of circumstances, to a nation that often overlooks and forgets it's heroes, your endurance has been a source of great pride to those of us that understand how the game of politics is played. You fine gentlemen were caught in that web of politics and thus abandon by the very nation you all served with such honor! Another sad example of that political game is the abandonment of Americas POWs and MIAs from the Vietnam war who are expendable for economic and political reasons. What a sad commentary of our nations honor! May we congratulated each of you on your inclusion at the Andersonville Memorial, it is long over due? And may thank each of you for your fine and heroic service to our country, and add a ringing, "well done." Will you be so kind as to say hello for us to Lt. Harris, who was an overnight guest at our home in Bakersfield, CA. many years ago, on an evening that he was guest speaker at a Christian Women's Club banquet. We again thank each of you for being an example of American servicemen and civilians that make us extremely proud to be Americans, and those kinds of individuals are getting harder to find every day!! With our sincere appreciation, Jack and Peg Treadway N. Richland Hills, TX.

Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001 22:46:48 -0400

Gentlemen:

The following link will take you the story I wrote on Wednesday's event at the National POW Museum in Andersonville. Yesterday, I had the honor of meeting and talking to Cmdr. Bucher, Bob Hill, Skip Schumacher, and Steven Woelk. It was truly a rare privelege to do so. You, the skipper and the crew of the USS Pueblo, prevailed against the most difficult of circumstances, and you acquited yourselves well in the highest traditions of our country's military service. You deserve the all of the admiration and recognition your countrymen can give. Few people meet the definition of hero in my book. But I would say that each of you exceed the standard. May you find the recognition and honor you deserve. Respectfully, Drew Brown -- Staff Writer The Macon Telegraph http://www.macontelegraph.com/content/macon/2001/04/26/local/pueblo.htm

Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001 13:30:06 -0400

I was in the same class at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California as CT3 Grant. We were also in security school together at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas. It was my understanding at the time that Grant, CT3 Davis and myself (CT3 Bolz) were all slated for the Pueblo. Delays in outfitting the ship at Bremerton, however, led to changes in the orders. Davis and myself fortunately wound up at the Naval Communications Station in Adak, Alaska while Grant unfortunately proceeded on to Bremerton and the Pueblo. I never was able to learn if the rumors concerning our orders was true or not, but I have always felt grateful that I headed north to Alaska instead of west to Korea. I enjoyed reading your wonderful website and am pleased at seeing the crew of the USS Pueblo receiving the honors which they so richly deserve. George Bolz

Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2001 20:05:59 EDT Danny It was nice to see you in Texas last week. As we discussed, I have prepared some comments to pass on to the Pueblo crew.

To the Pueblo crew: The recent detention of our EP3 crew on Hainan Island reminded us again of the detention of the Pueblo crew. But the differences were more pronounced than the similarities. The Pueblo crew was captured at gunpoint; the Pueblo crew was treated brutally, and they were detained for months, not days. But just as the American public rallied to the support of the EP3 crew, so we should reaffirm our gratitude for the courage and patriotism of the Pueblo crew. Even in the face of beatings, they retained their spirit and sense of humor. Who can forget their famous "Hawaiian good luck" sign? It was at once a signal of defiance to their captors and a signal of hope to their loved ones. Om the occasion of this reunion, I send my warmest regards to the Pueblo crew. You kept the faith for all of us! William J. Perry, Stanford University, Former Secretary of Defense

Date: April 24, 2001

To: Commander Bucher & the Pueblo crew, As a long and proud member of our military, I wanted to tell you all how how proud I am of the contribution you made to our Nation. To many of us who remember well the Pueblo & your sacrifices, you stand as as an example of the best America has to offer. The EP3 incident of the last few days has reminded us of the important contributions of the Pueblo & it's crew. And I hope all of you know, how valued you are by us all. Bill Owens Admiral USN (ret) Ex-Vice Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff

Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2001 17:12:50 +0900

Hi, I'm stationed in Northern Japan, at Misawa Air Base. I was just watching AFN and there was a movie on about the USS Pueblo. As with anything that interests me, I looked it up on the World Wide Web. Anytime there is some first person commentary by people that really participated in an event, it makes it all more real. All the men of the Pueblo are heros I think. You run a great site. Todd Lopez Misawa Air Base, Japan

Date: Sat, 5 May 2001 22:28:47 -0500

Hi Pueblo friends,

Sure appreciate your service to the flag! I followed your story like a hawk as a kid, age 13 at the time. Thanks for the freedom you helped us keep, that I am enjoying. God bless you all! Today I drove past Pueblo's birthplace, the harbor at Kewaunee, Wisconsin. I live in Green Bay, about 20 miles away. We go to Kewaunee often. I am a Lutheran pastor. One of my members was a worker on the Pueblo, as she was being built [as a Liberty ship???] during the big war. He is still sharp in the mind, but now weak in the knees. He's in a nursing home. He cannot recall which keel was hers, as they built so many, but he helped lay hers for sure. We speak of that often. Also many Rivot Annies around here, as WWII subs were built just South of Kewaunee in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Also, Navy wooden hulled minesweepers are built just North of Kewaunee in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Our contribution, eh? More info, should you want it. David H. Hatch Green Bay, Wisconson [Wisconsin also being the birthplace of that faulty elevator contraption that ran your rudder]

Date: Thu, 03 May 2001 15:03:51 -0500

Dear Sirs,

Although I never knew my husbands uncle...my father-in-laws brother the thought of having a former prisoner of war in the family always intigued me. My husband and I have 2 sons and recently told them of the feat of their great uncle. Our 15 year old said that he thought that this could make a good term paper subject one day...perhaps for college. We agreed. I used the internet at work one day and came across your web page. I felt that this would be as good of opportunity as any to obtain some information. Thank you ! I would like to know if there are any videos or books you could direct me too. They could help out a lot. I am sure other members of the Hagenson family may enjoy these as well. I'll be waiting for your reply. Ken and Barb Hagenson

Date: Sun, 6 May 2001 23:09:02 EDT

John, Pete:

As quoted in George C. Wilson's article in the National Journal of May 5, 2001 (http://nationaljournal.com/about/njweekly/stories/2001/0505nj2.htm), Carl Schumacher was exactly right in pointing out that US military leaders have yet to learn from the Pueblo incident the absolute necessity to plan and prepare carefully for such contingencies. He is right, too, that they should be very sensitive in considering what they are asking their people to do. The same is true of the Israeli attack on USS Liberty. There were many "Monday morning quarterbacks" in the US Navy who harshly criticized CDR Bucher after the event, but almost none who would acknowledge their part in what went wrong. Few could have performed as effectively as Lloyd Bucher and Carl Schumacher in the circumstances as they developed. Who sent a marginally seaworthy, minuscule ship on a shakedown cruise into the harsh Sea of Japan in winter and into the face of our enemies (the Soviets as well as North Korea)? Why was CDR Bucher criticized for not trying to fight back with the ship's two ice-covered and secured 50 cal machine guns when there would have been virtually no chance of getting off a shot from their exposed positions? He had warned before the guns were added that there would be virtually no chance of employing them given the harsh conditions and superior firepower of all his potential adversaries. Who was responsible for USS Pueblo not being equipped with demolition charges to permit rapid scuttling (despite CDR Bucher's insistence on the need for them)? CDR Bucher and his operational commander had been assured that fighter aircraft were on strip alert in Korea to support USS Pueblo should it be harassed or attacked. While he was holding the North Koreans off, he was again assured that help was on the way. Why didn't this support appear and who was responsible? Why weren't the North Korean radioed warnings (reported by FBIS) and North Korea's recent aggressive actions factored into reassessment of the risk of USS Pueblo's mission (resulting in cancellation or close support)? Why were the North Korean warnings not reported to USS Pueblo's immediate operational commander? What individuals were responsible for not taking those actions? What intelligence potentially collectable by USS Pueblo on this mission could have justified the risks? Why were US military resources so overextended that the US could not carry out effective military responses to the attack on USS Pueblo and the subsequent North Korean shootdown of a Navy RC-121? Which of the US military leaders had failed to identify our lack of capacity to act, and why did they let such overextended activities proceed without real support (which had been promised) being provided? Or, was this a purely political decision made after due consideration of these problems? Why was North Korea permitted to transfer the captured USS Pueblo from the West Coast around the Korean Peninsula and through Tsushima Strait to where it is now located on North Korea's East Coast? Fact is, CDR Bucher and most of his crew performed superbly under the most adverse conditions while their Navy and their country did not. Perhaps most of all, where was the honor of those all the way up the chain to the top who evaded any personal responsibility for the catastrophe? Would we do better tomorrow?? Best regards, Bill Horn Date: Wed, 09 May 2001 16:06:03 -0400 One other tidbit on the USS Pueblo of which I am aware. At the time, there were two USAF fighter bases in Korea, both of them operating F-100's, Kunsan and Osan. Both had a small number of F-100's on 10 minute alert, but they were armed with nukes (headed for the USSR or PRC for "the big one"). It would have theoretically been possible to quickly download the nukes and scramble those F-100's armed only with 20mm cannon, which would have easily handled the situation. The F-100's could have been on the scene and overhead the Pueblo easily within 30 minutes of being notified. But no one, I'm sure, would have touched that option with a 10 foot pole -- only the White House had authority to do that, I suspect (because of all the rules and restrictions on nuclear matters.) What they did do, was get a flight of (non-alert) F-105's loaded up with ordnance and launched from Okinawa. That probably took at least an hour, probably two hours. Then, after 30-40 minutes of flight, the 105's had to land at Kunsan to refuel -- there were no tankers available. By then, the Pueblo had been in Wonsan harbor for a couple hours. So ultimately nothing was done. Also, as far as I know, nothing was ever done afterwards to change procedures in order to have conventionally armed a/c ready for future emergencies. John Macartney

Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 15:39:42 EDT Shipmates:

I spent twenty years in the Navy (Aug. 1947 -- Jul. 1967), all of it
as a CT (after the rating was established in 1949) and all of it under the
command of the U.S. Naval Security Group (after it was established, also in
1949). Upon retirement as a CTR1 on 7 July 1967, I was fortunate to be able
to continue in my cryptologic profession by accepting employment with the
National Security Agency at Ft. Meade, MD. Having travelled extensively and
served at remote intercept sites around the world while in the Navy, the NSA
decided not to disappoint me with a stagnant assignment at Ft. Meade, & I
continued my vagabond ways, with family in tow. The date of my entry on duty
with NSA was 29 April 1968, some three months subsequent to the brazen &
illegal boarding of the USS Pueblo.

I again retired from Federal employment, this time from NSA, on 4
April 1993, having completed 45 years with the Federal Government, all of it
in the field of cryptology. After a short recall by the Agency to assist
with a project for which I was uniquely qualified, I remained in retirement
until the Agency opened the National Cryptologic Museum to the public in
December 1993. In February 1994, I went to the museum out of curiosity to
see what such a highly classified Agency with little to reveal to the general
public could possibly have on display. When the curator learned of my 45
years of cryptologic service, he immediately stated that I had just
volunteered to be a docent in the museum! I didn't even know what a "docent"
was, but he sure taught me the meaning of the word! I have been enlightening
the public about the roles of NSA and the SCEs ever since.

But, to come to the point of this communique, we are proud to host a
permanent display in the National Cryptologic Museum of the infamous story
of the USS Pueblo, in addition to the story of her sister ship, USS Liberty,
which sufferred an unprovoked bloody attack in International waters off of
Egypt by Israeli air & naval forces, leaving 34 men dead in the wake of the
murderous onslaught. We also have an exhibit describing another
slaughterous attack against a U.S. Reconnaisance C-130 by Soviet MIG aircraft
over Soviet Armenia on 2 September 1958, which resulted in the death of
another 14 brave military men (USAF) in time of peace. You can be assured
that in my role as a docent in this unique museum, I describe to the general
public visiting our musem to the best of my ability these wrongful &
unprovoked attacks against our reconnaisance forces. Most of our museum
guests are outraged when they learn the truth about these events.

I wish to extend my own Bravo Zulu to the crew of USS Pueblo & ask
that you look me up when (not "if") you visit the museum, which is next door
to the NSA at Ft. Meade, MD, on the corner of Routes 32 & 295. Hours of
operation are M - F 0900-1600, Sat. 1000 - 1400, closed Sun. & government
holidays. Admission is free!

Richard D. Sylvester

Date: Sat, 19 May 2001 18:42:08 EDT

Hello, I wrote to you earlier about our coverage of the USS Yorktown's task force as we raced to the Sea of Japan after your capture. I have finally put up the new website with the story of the Yorktown and the Pueblo capture. You can view it at ussyorktown.com I have added two links to your website from the ussyorktown.com website. The first is at the end of the story about the Yorktown and Pueblo. The second link is in the US Navy/related websites page. When we wrote last you said that you would be agreeable to putting a link to ussyorktown.com on your usspueblo.org website. I would appreciate it if you could see your way clear to doing so. semper fi shipmates, daniel a. bernath ph2 usn 1966-1970 ussyorktown.com uss Yorktown 1968 to 1970

Date: Sun, 20 May 2001 22:14:23 -0700 (PDT)

I just found this site about the Pueblo on the "Naval Historical Center home page." It's loaded with information about it's origin and present location. You might want to link it to your website. Still remembering the "Pueblo" and searching for the truth about your capture, Richard L. Skinner. http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-p/ager2.htm

Date: Sun, 27 May 2001 15:20:54 -0400

To All: Hope all is well with you and your families this Memorial Day. It is people like you that make this a great country. God Bless each and everyone of you J. Scarborough

Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 20:16:54 -0700 (PDT)

I was a shipfitter mechanic at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard during the U.S.S. Pueblo's conversion. I reconstructed the pilot house - extending the sides, installing new water-tight doors, installing new decking and foundations for the equipment. From there I went below decks to the crypto room where I installed all the foundations, structural ventilation and deck plates. I also did a couple other jobs, including the installation of the mast. As is the custom, we put some money under it for good luck - didn't seem to work! Anyway, the N. Koreans have a couple quarters of mine as well as some money from the riggers who helped set the mast. My name - Wesley L. Swanson

Date: Mon, 28 May 2001 22:25:49 -0500

U.S.Navy ships and planes have been by design, stupidity or coincidence been the victims of surprise attacks throughout the Navy's history. Is your association aware of any list of these on-going surprise attacks? They seem to be becoming more frequent and taken for granted as Navy S.O.P.. Jim Mulvaney

Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2001 23:22:53 -0400

Hi, My name is Al Pelletier I was aboard the Providence CLG-6 with COM7THFLT when the Pueplo was taken under seige. I was in the War roon off the DMZ in Vietnam when the crypted message came in and delivered the message to Vice Admiral Bringle Commander of the 7th Fleet. That night we formed the task forcre 77 and along with the USS Providence(the flag ship) we headed for Korea. We stayed off the coast of Korea for two months while negotiations were taking place. After all these years I still have lots of stories, pictures and documentation about how the USS PROVIDENCE CLG-6 and the Commander of the 7th Fleet took part in the attenpted recovery of the USS PUEBLO. God bless all you survivors and your families. Al Pelletier sfern@megalink.com

Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2001 17:01:47 -0700

Hello, I am doing a project on the Korean War and DMZ post war. Could you help me with some figures? I know one man was killed did he get KIA status? How many were wounded (WIA)? Was the total number of POWs 83? I would appreciate a reply. My project has to do with divisions, corps, armies, etc., each patch or ribbon or medal will have the number of recipients etched on a brass placque. It's quite a bit of research, and your help will make it a little easier. Thanks, Charlie Davis Korea DMZ Vet. 1955-56

Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 11:36:59 -0400
Is there an on-going program to Recover Pueblo? Robert Boyd US Navy 1963-1969

Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2001 11:30:55 -0400

As a retired CPO who was on active duty at the time of your ordeal, I remain perplexed and disgusted at the non-action of our government during the attack on your ship and at the attack on Cdr. Bucher after your return. I was on SSBN patrol in the North Atlantic when your capture occured. When I read the different accounts of your capture, the attack on the Liberty and the recent plane capture, I continue to wonder why we purchase and field such great weapons if we do not intend to protect the men and women who go in harms way. The strongest country on earth is too concerned about world opininion and the world too readily forgets who saved it and them from the abyss. I continue to salute the crew and CDR. Bucher! Bravo Zulu! TMC(SS) A.I. Suman USN (Ret)

Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 13:36:32 -0400

I am RADM Edwin M. Rosenberg's son and wanted to pass on to the Association that he passed away in March 1982. I hoped his name could be added to the In Memory section of your web page. My father always placed honor and duty above politics. He had the highest regard for the PUEBLO crew and felt each was a "hero" for what they endured while in captivity. Edwin L. Rosenberg

Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001 15:15:34 -0400

Dear Sir:

I am currently working on an article on the Pueblo incident for publication in our July issue. First, let me thank you for all the wonderful and extremely useful information available on your web site. The one thing I am lacking, however, is artwork to accompany the article, so I was hoping you might be able to provide me with some photographs -- of the ship, her crew, or any others you might have that could work with an article on the incident. Also, if possible, I would like to run the article past you prior to publication to ensure the accuracy of what I write. Could you please give me a call at 800.225.9977 or drop me an email so that we might work something out on these two fronts? I would appreciate any help you could provide. Thank you very much. Cheers, Brendan P. Rivers Senior Editor JED, The Journal of Electronic Defense

Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 10:40:30 -1000

What, if anything is the U.S. Govt doing to retrieve the Pueblo. After all, it is still a commissioned vessel and the property of the U.S. Allen LT Michael E