SEARCY, KIP BRIAN

Thanks, ...This is all typical BS...

Mike
===

On 14 Sep 2001, at 9:01, @aol.com wrote:

> <<Is Kip Searcy on the list of escaped POWs?>>

> ...Negative.  Please send me more details on this man

That is my suspicion.  I'm attaching his business card, and here is what he told me (as best I remember)

I was a speaker at the Pettis VA Hospital in Loma Linda CA yesterday morning. The POW coordinator had all exPOWs stand up by war and  theater.  Mr.  Searcy  stood (only VN other than me), I caught his eye and saluted.  As  we departed, he waited at the back until I was able to make my way  from the front.

First, I asked where he was held, I understood him to say "Hanoi". When I said that I was in the Hilton and Zoo, he claimed to have been held in the south somewhere along the SVN/Cambodia border. 

He further said that he was in a SOG group "attached officially to the USA" (I think he said the 171st, but that rang no bells with me), but suggesting that he was really CIA.  He went on to say that much of what he did was still very secret and he wasn't supposed to talk  about it ("The US Gov't still has a lid on me.")

He suggested that he was part of Phoenix, though he never used that word, going into villages and assassinating the Communist leaders.

He claimed that his father and uncle had both been POWs in WW2, that he left college to enlist in the Army during Vietnam.

He said that he was held in a tunnel compound with 6 other men and that they had escaped after a B-52 strike in the area in "late July, early August" of 1972.  I don't know anyone who can't remember their freedom date, even if they had to look it up afterward.

He also said he had been part of the POW program at Pettis for a number of years, but had quit last year when the coordinator retired.

When he handed me his card, he said his web address was on it; but only his AOL e-mail is listed.  In case the card doesn't come out clearly for you, here is the important info:

Kip Searcy, CEO
CA Erosion & Sediment Control
Voice: 909-769-0099
FAX: 909-845-2771
e-mail: Calerosion@aol.com

I hope this helps.

{signed}
by a real POW awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, five Air Medals, the Prisoner of War Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and Vietnam Campaign Medal. Name deleted by POW NETWORK.

Re: details, was returning from a strike mission in NVN, 5 man  sniper team, returning via Laos. Ran into (app) 200 north Vietnamese  regulars on a previously unknown supply route to SVN, evasive actions didn't work and wound up captured, app. June 1971. Three of us were  held in Laos, (near Loc Tuo -- net note - try finding that on a map!), two were transported to an unknown location, supposedly in NVN. Confined in an underground bunker complex  within (app.) 4 x 4 cubicle inset into the walls, dark passage, no visible lighting present. Feed once a day, bowl or rice and some type of  meat, (unknown), and was provided a small bucket of water, this was also to be utilized as our toilet facilities. Interrogated on several occasions, always in brightly lit rooms, sometimes beatings would occur, or physc ops. used, (letter- confirming death of father, mother, wife, etc.), finally ignored after two - three weeks. Exercise was never permitted, just a dark hole 24 hours a day, talking to fellow prisoners would, and did, result in removal and execution on two specific occasions I can remember. Lost all track of time, cold, dark, hungry, no communication, no daylight, no exercise. App. 50 days after capture B-52 strikes, (we presumed), hit our area and underground bunkers were collapsing, VN ran out of tunnel and ignored prisoners. Ground shaking "warped" the metal containers and someone got out, freeing other prisoners, made it back to our lines in SVN app. 15 days later with five out of 12 that had originally made it out of the "hole." It has taken almost 30 years to get the government to admit to my capture and POW status, my DD-214 had always referred to it as "lost time" with no further explanation, although I did receive a General Court Martial upon return to my unit, I had not been listed as MIA or POW, but rather as AWOL..... Makes one wonder Bob how many others, still missing, are being listed as AWOL or as Deserters, doesn't it?

When the government gets uncomfortable, they grow silent. When they grow silent, no one looks for answers, or solutions, just
excuses and platitudes.

Talk again soon, feel free to call . 909 769 - 0099, spend a lot of time in office.

From:           Calerosion@aol.com
Date sent:      Sat, 15 Sep 2001 15:42:44 EDT
Subject:        Memorial Poem

From afar they stand looking at our beloved land,
The cowards that make the evil band,
Oh how they scheme and how they plan,
Creating terror in a foreign land.

False names are used and faces hidden,
To do the deeds most forbidden,
They sneak, they cheat, they hide, they lie,
Waiting for their time to fly.

And to the planes they do depart,
To tear out our American heart,
People dying in the street,
Our will and hope to defeat.

The towers hit, and lit with flames,
Buildings smashed, how many names,
Help is crushed as buildings fall,
How can we hope to rescue all.

And through it all, the pain and grief,
We hold fast to our belief,
People dead and buildings down,
Bur strong the call, our nation found.

And soon will come, as has been told,
America comes, strong and bold,
And as a thief in the night,
Just the way we've learned to fight.

And justice then you will cry,
Denied by all, you will die,
Another born soon in your place,
How soon we know another's face.

Although we quarrel and we fight,
Never doubt the American's might,
You awoke not fear, but righteous light,
Beware my foe, the cold dark night.........

Kip Searcy 09-15-01

Another e-mail from Kip Searcy.  The one name he remembers is also not on the list of escapees.  Bold person.  Too bad.

Return-path: <Calerosion@aol.com>
From: Calerosion@aol.com
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2001 12:04:36 EDT
Subject: Re: Howdy!

I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that things were happening so fast, (on the run), that I didn't get to know many of the fella's names. The only one I distinctly remember was Jace Chilson. Remember the conditions we were in, we never saw each other and talking or attempted communication was punishable by death Bob.
Also, was only in captivity for (app) 60 days, hard to get to know people from inside a box, or while, (unarmed in most cases), "making a run for the border".
I am sure, named or unnamed, all prayers will be appreciated even if only a generalized prayer can be offered, much like NYC, how do we mention them all, by name?
Let me know how I can assist with the VA memorial at Riverside, I know a few monied people who might find it in their hearts to look in their wallets.
Have to run for now, lots of work to get done by Monday am. God Bless and talk soon, OH by the way, did you share that poem wish your congregation this past Sunday? If not, and if you feel it is good enough, feel free if you feel it would be helpful to anyone. Again, may you always walk in life's path with the Lord at your side. Kip