Hon. WILLIAM J. SCHERLE,
House of Representatives,
Longworth House Office Building,
Washington, D.C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN SCHERLE: Tuesday, July 23, marks the 6 month anniversary of the seizure of the USS Pueblo by the North Koreans.

At a meeting on May 1-2, 1968, the National Executive Committee of The American Legion adopted a Resolution expressing its concern for the plight of the men of the Pueblo and the members of their families. In that Resolution the Legion stated, "That If the Communist regime of North Korea continues to refuse to return the Pueblo and its crew, The American Legion calls for and will support strong, positive action by our Government--including the use of whatever military force is required--to restore to United States control the personnel of the USS Pueblo and the vessel itself."

I know you share our continuing deep concern for the safety of the members of the crew of this vessel. It is our hope that positive action will be taken soon to resolve this matter satisfactorily.

Sincerely yours,

HERALD E. STRINGER, Director.

 VFW LEADER HITS "INHUMANE" TREATMENT OF U.S.S. "PUEBLO" CREW BY NORTH KOREA

Washington D.C., July 23--The Commander-in-Chief Of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States today "deplored the stagnant lack of international concern over the totally unlawful and inhumane treatment by communist North Korea of the 82 living American crewmen of the captured U.S. naval ship Pueblo."
Joseph A. Scerra, of Gardner, Mass., the V.F.W. Commander charged that "peace groups here at home and those abroad have consistently berated the United States for so-called 'aggressive acts' in Vietnam, yet their loud protests are ominously silent on the illegal capture and inhumane detention of the men of the U.S.S. Pueblo.

"Not a word has been uttered by U Thant, the head of the United Nations, nor has any member of that august body spoken out in behalf of these heroic 82 American servicemen. I also deplore the lack. of publicity afforded this incident by the majority of the news media of our nation, which can and does piously criticize over inhumane acts committed within other nations, but conveniently play down and forget these brave American men."

Scerra charged that "North Korea has abrogated all of the international rules of law governing the treatment of prisoners-of-war. As far as I know the United States is not even, nor has it even been, at war with North Korea. The United States is a guest in South Korea as part of a United Nations
peace-keeping mission. Troops from other U. N. member nations are also stationed in South Korea. I hate to think of the international hue and cry if an incident similar to the pirating by North Korea of the U.S.S. Pueblo occurred to a vessel of some other U. N. member.

"To date the parents and loved ones have received no definitive word as to the true health said welfare of their men. North Korea has not allowed them to be visited by members of the International Red Cross, or any other international group. Against all the rules of International law, these prisoners have been utilized by the communists for propaganda purposes. In essence they have been used illegally.

"The 1,425,000 Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States deplore the atrocious treatment of 82 American servicemen. We wonder why the publics here at home and abroad have not been vocally outraged by this horrendous act. All, Americans must call on their government to tell the truth about the Pueblo. Are these men still alive? Are they healthy. Is our government doing all in its power to bring them home?''
The V.F.W. Commander said that "it is about time the American people demand the return of these men. If enough public reaction is generated here at home, and abroad, then quite possibly the international fuss and bother would compel communist North Korea to return our men, alive and healthy. This is what the great majority of Americans want their government to do."