statements were either twisted, taken out of context or omitted altogether. The report contains many inaccuracies some of which I had tried to clarify with Special Agent Robert Catron but to no avail.

The CID report states that there was residue on Kevin's left hand but in an insufficient quantity to determine conclusively that he had shot the weapon; however, the gun was found in his right hand and there was no mention of any residue on that hand. According to the report there were no latent fingerprints found on the weapon. Also, they were unable to find any fingerprints inside the vehicle which we find very odd since he had owned the truck for a couple of years.

Kevin kept meticulous records a detailed daily diary, letters and cards from friends, notes he made to himself. Mysteriously there was next to nothing of a personal nature for 1993 in the belongings which were returned, 22 months alter he had died, even though several people told us that he kept a notebook during that year in which he wrote down his thoughts.

There are indications of a possible connection to the CIA, FBI and/or DEA but we have not received any information on this nor do I think we ever will. Just to receive Kevin's military personnel file took approximately 1 year of repeated requests.

You have to wonder what kind of investigation it is when someone who feels he is being followed and is carrying a weapon for protection, dies just months later but CID does not feel it important enough to follow up on those leads. CID told us Kevin died in his vehicle in the barracks parking lot between 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. a busy parking lot, yet no one heard a .45 being fired? To my knowledge CID made no attempt to determine if his truck was actually in the parking lot during that period of time. It is possible that he could have been shot elsewhere and then brought back to the parking lot. It is very obvious that the Army conducted this investigation with a predetermined ruling of suicide . . . looking only for information to support that ruling and everything else was either dismissed or ignored. It is much easier to portray Kevin as a person who cracked under the pressure and was mentally unstable, particularly since he cannot defend himself.

Due to some strange incidents since Kevin died, we have been very fearful. We have good reason to believe that our phones were tapped. We did not know who could possibly be behind this but began to actually suspect the Army since they seemed to be anticipating our every question. I have another brother who was also stationed at Fort Bragg for a period of time and even shared a home with Kevin while there. On several occasions since Kevin's death, Phil has felt he was being followed... why, we don't know. A mysterious visitor showed up at my mother's pretending to be new to the town. He managed to gain access to her home and after being left alone inside for a short while he cut his visit short. He has not been seen in the town since and no one has ever heard of him. There have been other incidents, such as the person working on my sister's phone line, a strange car parked in front of my house during the night, etc. All of these incidents may not amount to much individually, but looked at as a whole I believe there is some significance. Kevin was a very special person, not only to his family, but to many others. He was the light, joy and laughter in our lives and in the lives of those who knew him. Our family will never be the same without him and our hearts will forever have an emptiness. We have lost something that can never be replaced. When Kevin joined the Army, he did so with the desire to serve his country and the willingness to give his life if necessary and I am outraged to see how he has been treated in return. It is as if his life held no value and his death is not even worthy of a proper investigation. I can only conclude that the military is either not interested in finding out what actually happened or is trying to cover it up. We deserve more from our government and I refuse to sit idly by while he is treated this way. We want to know what happened and we will not rest until we have answers.

PREPARED STATEMENT BY Kenneth and KatHLEEN PLUNKETT, PARENTS OF SHAWN A. PLUNKETT, USA

The action/lack of action on behalf of the U.S. Army and personnel resulted in some crucial evidence being destroyed. The death was classified as accidental self inflicted. The following actions will support the elements that it was not self inflicted, but possibly murder, and that the U.S. Army and its personnel were responsible for justice be obstructed. The following items show the page number of the investigation report they were on.

1. The gun is stated as being found: A. In the crook of the left arm. (page 6) B. On the floor cocked (page 7) C. on the table (page 7) D. One foot from the left shoul

der (page 11) E. Under left arm (page 11) F. Above and to left of the head (page 18)

2. There were no powder burns on his hands. (page 21)

3. Spent casing was not found, but he was shot inside armory. (page 9, 19 and 20)

4. CID laboratory report states Shawn's fingerprints were not on the gun or magazines. (page 4)

5. Barium antimony exam not even attempted as victim and armorer both handled weapons prior to the shooting and exam would not have proved or disproved any fact in question. (page 9)

6. Unit was locked into place, it appeared necessary as indications were that other persons might be involved and that a magazine may have been placed in the gun without his knowledge, with the intent to do him harm. Then later discounted through interviews of witnesses. (page 10) Witnesses could have lied.

7. Sgt. Raymond P. Manifase said he had searched the arms room, the dumpster, and the gauze used on Shawn, on two separate occasions, and was unable to find the spent casing. He also removed every weapon in the arms room to see if the casing may have ejected into the barrels or other cavities of them, did not find. It was also mentioned that several other Sgts. searched rooms and areas for the casing. It was never found. It was not found because Shawn did not shoot himself and someone picked up the casing and got rid of it. (page 9, 19 and 20)

8. Gun exam did not reveal any latent prints suitable for ID (page 33)

9. Some items in the room were not triangulated as it was deemed not necessary due to the incident being an accident rather than a criminal act. (page 9)

10. Report states he shot himself with his left hand, he was right handed, and couldn't do anything left handed, especially get the gun behind left ear and shoot himself. (page 19)

11. Autopsy was conducted after the body had been cleaned by the doctor doing the autopsy. By doing this the doctor contaminated any evidence. (page 21)

12. The forensic chemist states further exams were precluded due to insufficient sample. (page 33)

13. If weapons were never to be loaded and passed out loaded from the arms room, why didn't Kibler get into trouble for loading the weapons? His negligence caused a death, if what he said is true, this should have resulted in a severe reprimand. (page 22 and 24)

14. Part of Kibler's statement: Some of the guns had clips put in the by the armorer (Kibler) when they were not supposed to be loaded. Ammo was to be handed out separately. It appears there were 3 weapons involved. Kibler stacked the guns in holsters on top of each other. The two on the bottom were loaded. He said Plunkett knew the weapon on top was unloaded, because Plunkett was preparing a clip with rounds for it. Kibler stated that when Plunkett turned around, apparently to count more ammo, Kibler rearranged the stacking order of the weapons, by placing the two loaded 45's on the top, and the empty weapon on the bottom. Kibler stated shortly thereafter, Plunkett turned around, grabbed the top weapon from the holster using his left hand (a check of records revealed that Plunkett was right handed) pulled the slide back and placed the barrel against his head and pulled the trigger. Kibler said he believed that Plunkett thought the weapon was unloaded and was unaware the stacking order had been changed. Therefore accidentally shooting himself. (page 19)

15. Wound was described as being in two different places on his head. (page 11 and 21)

16. Someone came down the stairs when he heard the shot, he said as he was running down the stairs, he saw a flash as someone ran into the ??? (cannot read) room. He thought the flash was his roommate. (page 18)

17. One witness states Plunkett was standing when he was shot, another states he was sitting at a table. (page 12 and 17).

18. In the diagrams it shows two separate pools of blood on the table another shows a body across the room from the table with another pool of blood. How could there be so many pools of blood. These are indicating he was shot in two different places. (page 7 and 8)

19. There were stomach contents in the pool of blood on the floor, but nothing states whose it was. (page 7)

20. No one from the CID personally contacted us to explain the investigation when it was finished. About 6-8 months later I got about 6 papers in regards to the investigation, this was only after I kept after them.

21. Page 1 and 3 of report are missing, list of exhibits 1-4 are missing, we did not get a copy of the Womack autopsy report.

22. Kibler stated that Plunkett was paying $400.00 a month for his car and that we were helping him out financially. This is not true, his car was paid for, we sent him money 1 month, when the Army got his pay all screwed up because they got him mixed up with someone else. Besides, if he did have a car payment, it has nothing to do with the investigation. (page 19)

23. Shawn had told us the week before he was killed, that an officer had been giving him a hard time, and he didn't know why.

24. Shawn was very familiar with 45's as we had one like it. He used it many times before entering the Army. He also would have known when it chambered. 25. There were two sets of death certificates issued.

26. On 2-9-95 I received a letter from Robert Dickerson Dept. of Army Personnel and Logistics stating there had been no line of duty investigation into his death. I have a letter dated 4-12-84 from R.G. Ament, Col. stating there is a line of duty investigation.

27. Scott Kibler was interviewed by CID Special Agent Corman (or Gorman), Kibler was suspected of negligent homicide/dereliction in performance of duty. (page 14)

In conclusion, since the gun was held to his head at close range (page 21), his fingerprints were not on the gun, there were no powder burns on his hands, along with the other items above it is quite apparent he did not shoot himself.

It also appears that from Item #9 and the medical examiner report of 10-19-83 it was concluded as an accident before there was an investigation.

PREPARED STATEMENT BY RUTH A. PRESNELL, MOTHER OF SSGT BRETT E.

PRESNELL, USAF

Following is a summary of what I feel to be pertinent information regarding the death of my son, S/Sgt. Brett E. Presnell.

1. On December 29, 1992 at 2:36 a.m. (Japan time) my son called me and we spoke 23 minutes, see bill and letter attached regarding our conversation. As a mother I would have detected any suicidal tendencies in my son's conversation and there were none.

2. On December 29, 1992 at 3:07 a.m. (USA time) Maj. Paul Keresztes, Air Force ROTC Detachment [information redacted and retained in committee files] came to my home with Brazil Police Officer, Linda Airhart, and read a cover letter from Brig. Gen. Michael D. McGinty, Commander Air Force Military Personnel Center (see attached letter). That cover letter states that my son died by self-inflicted hanging and was found hanging outside Club Galaxy. It was later documented that he was found hanging outside the Blue Bird Club at Kinville. It was stated the time of death was 0500 a.m. on December 29, 1992, by a Japanese national.

3. USNI report listed cause of death as hanging, and then revised it stating cause of death "suicide in the line of duty". (Dated 1-27-93) Toxicology reading.

4. Corrected final report of casualty listed cause of death as self-inflected hanging dated 3-22-93.

5. When autopsy report was returned stating toxicology was unsuitable for testing. Lab did not receive specimens for 2 months. (February 23, 1993) Determination made under the influence of alcohol but no toxicology test done because it was unsuitable for testing. One witness stated deceased was drinking coffee and a brown liquid was found in deceased's stomach.

6. Investigation talks about identification was made from dependent's card and reservist card in wallet, yet pictures of items on his person revealed no wallet and no dog tags. Where are these things?

7. On December 21, 1992, a card was mailed to me by Brett and his girlfriend stating he was coming home but not Letecia because of "whats going on". What was going on? I received this card (December 29, 1992) morning after his death.

8. I made attempt after attempt to obtain information since I was convinced my son did not commit suicide. Remember, I had talked to my son 2 hours before his death for 23 minutes. Then in January 1994, I received a letter from an Air Force locator service in Texas from a mother of a Navy serviceman who was also found hanging 3 weeks after my son's death. Her son had written them a letter describing my son's death and that it was not a suicide. In that letter he states this makes 3 and he had only been there since October 1992. This young man's name is HC3 Scott Beimdiek. His mother's name is Jan Beimdiek, of Moorhead, Minnesota.

Again I want to thank you for the subcommittee meetings you held on behalf of our loved ones and taking time to help us make sure that other family's may never have to go through this as we have.

[Additional information is retained in committee files.]

PREPARED STATEMENT BY WAYNE F. AND NANCY QUICK, PARENTS OF CPT WAYNE F. QUICK, JR., USA

To The Honorable Chairperson and Committee Members.

Mothers and fathers sending their sons and daughters to defend our country expect that they could get killed in combat but never murdered in peace time.

We feel very strongly that the government needs to find a better way to investigate all military personnel deaths. For the military to be ALL VOLUNTEER, there are far too many "SUICIDES"! ARE THESE ALL "SUICIDES"? Something needs to be done NOW to make changes. Our military system as it is now is a SLAP in the face of the AMERICAN PEOPLE!!

In accordance with: Public Law 103–160 and in the name of our son Capt. Wayne Farrell Quick Jr., [information redacted and retained in committee files] United States Army, deceased. We, Wayne Farrell Quick and Nancy Scott Quick are requesting your review and a new investigation into his death by some Agency other than the military.

Previous investigation work was done by the following, Columbus Police Department, Columbus Ga., Case Number 93000913. United States Army Criminal Investigation Command, (USACIDC) Fort Benning Ga.; Fort Campbell Ky.; Fort McPhersion Ga.; Camp Casey Korea; Toii Station Okinawa; Department of Defense Inspector Generals Office Special Investigators.

Cobb County Police Department, Marietta Ga., Case Number 93003505. The USACIDC provided investigative assistance to the Columbus Police and the Cobb County Police that included interviewing military associates of our son and providing some records.

No one has taken the time to look at Capt. Wayne Farrell Quick's whole very impressive military record. All efficiency reports are out standing and above average. His awards and decorations are exceptional for only 10 years of service, they include, one Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Commendation Medals Army Commendation Medal for Valor in Combat, one Good Conduct Medal, one Bronze Star Medal, two Overseas Medals, The Army Achievement Medal. His awards include The Combat Infantryman's Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Parachute Riggers Badge, Air Assault Badge and Čampaign Ribbons for his service in Operation Desert Storm.

Captain Quick was a student at the United States Army Infantry Officers Advanced Course at Fort Benning Ga. He did not attend class on January 5, 1993 due to illness, but had contact with several of his class mates. When he did not show up for class on January 6, 1993, his Company Commander became worried about him. He and Captain Quick had known and worked together for 3 years. On January 10, 1993 he reported Capt. Quick as a missing person to the Columbus Police Department when he could not be located by anyone.

The following paragraphs contain things that we, as Capt. Quick's parents have been able to determine. All of these things should have sent up a red flag for investigators! They were not followed up to the fullest, if at all! WHY? No one can explain this to us in a satisfactory manner.

We have developed a time line from official documents, statements and telephone records.

05 0930 JAN 1993

Cpt Quick missed training, claimed to be ill when called by Lt. Donion.

05 1500 JAN 1993

Cpt Quick went to Capt. LeRoy's quarters to pick up the assignment for the next day.

05 1600 JAN 1993

Cpt Quick left Capt. LeRoy's after receiving instructions for the next days assignment. Capt. LeRoy and his wife stated that Capt. Quick appeared to be sick.

05 1730 JAN 1993

Chrie Jordan Fincher claims to have spoken to Capt. Quick at this time via telephone, she said that he had left his calling card at the Club. None were found at his apartment or in his vehicle. She also said that said he would see her at the Club later that night.

05 2000 JAN 1993

Capt. Mike Nickles spoke to Capt. Quick about being in class the next day. Capt. Quick stated his intentions of being in class the next day. This conversation lasted until 2020 hrs.

05 2230 JAN 1993

Capt. Quick's Upstairs neighbor Mrs. Elena Glavis heard someone talking loud in the parking lot. She looked out and saw Capt. Quick talking loud to two military looking men. Capt. Quick was usually a soft spoken man. One man was where she could see him as clearly as the street light would allow. She thought that the men returned to a low slung car that looked like a sports car. She said that Capt. Quick was being very loud, going around opening and closing his car doors as if locking them. (Note this is a 1990 GMC Suburban and has automatic door locks.) Her roommate said that he did not hear anything because he had already taken his hearing aids out in getting ready for bed, he did see Capt. Quick get something from on the drivers side rear seat floor and give it to one of the men. After that he closed the blinds and went to bed to read. He said that this was about 2330 hrs. Mrs. Galvis said that she was watching Rescue 911 and that this program came on The Family channel at 2300 hrs in Columbus.

05 2335 JAN 1993

Parents call Capt. Quick and talk to him for 10 minutes. He said that he was ill but was getting his uniform and equipment ready for the next days class and that he still had to finish his paper work. His uniform and equipment were found hanging on his desk chair ready to go. Water in his canteens was still fresh on January 11, 1993 when his parents entered his apartment!!

06 0034 JAN 1993

Capt. Quick called Mrs. Rose Mary Nimrow in Clarksville TN. She stated that he said that he had some people after him and he had to get out of town because these people wanted him dead and that he would call her in a few days to get the birth dates of her grandchildren. Capt. Wayne Farrell Quick has never been heard from again by any one.

06 0300 JAN 1993

Georgia State Trooper Tommy Brown sees Capt. Quick's 1990 Suburban parked near Akers Mill Rd. in Marietta. He did not think much about it because of the type of vehicle and in a construction site. Trooper Brown made contact with Cobb County Police after he learns that that this vehicle belonged to a missing person. This was done on January 11, 1993. He had shined spotlight on the vehicle but did not get out of his patrol car and check it. When this was pointed out to investigators, they did not pay any attention to it! This information was taken from their report.

06 0630 JAN 1993

Capt. Quick does not report for duty!

This time line is important because it does not match two of the statements made to the Columbus Police. Two women (dancers) Chrie Jordan Fincher and Pam Shriver claim to that Capt. Quick was at the Platium Club from about 2200 hrs January 5, 1993 until 0130 hrs January 6, 1993, until closing time. These women claim that all three of them drove separate cars to Cherie's apartment where they got into her car and went to downtown to another club to buy cocaine. Capt. Quick did not use drugs and would not let anyone around him use them in his presence. The club they were going to was closed when they got there so they went back to Fincher's apartment and arrived there at some time after 0200 hrs. They state that Pam Shriver got into her car and left. Capt. Quick supposedly spent the night at Chrie Fincher's apartment according to her. She claims that he was still asleep when she woke up at about 1400 hrs on January 6, 1993 and she woke him up. She claims that Capt. Quick went out and got them breakfast and returned, with three eggs for her and an omelet for himself and hash browns which she ate half of. Capt. Quick then left at 1430 hrs according to her. These women no longer live in the Columbus area! Captain Quick's body was found in the Chattahoochee River on 25 April 1993, about one and one half miles from where his vehicle was found. The food that was found in his stomach during the autopsy was described as strips with the consistency of turnips, oriental food. This is the same type of food that we found in his crock pot and bowls in his apartment on January 11, 1993. Strange?