Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 9

Chicago Tribune, WednesdayJanuary 24. 1973 Section 1 'Never gave up hope, says mother of POW By Fredric Soil and Carolyn Toll 6sK IT WAS a bittersweet eve i c-S I rC I -'V i 4 I 5 ning for the Maslowskis. Good news about their POW making the peace announcement, the brother of another POW watched the television in his Elmhurst living room. Brian Yonan, 23, said he only learned last Wednesday that his brother, Army Capt. Kenneth Yonan, 25, was a prisoner of war.

"We had about given up hope that he was alive," said Brian, an engineering student at the Chicago Circle Campus of the University of Illinois. Right after the news that Kenneth, a West Point graduate, would be coming home, Brian called his mother, a widow who was at her job on the night shift in a factory. SHE HAD already heard the good news on a transistor radio "We wrote him every month since we found out he was alive for sure," said his father. "But we never got an answer, never." WORDS OF peace continued to come from the President and tears began to roll down the mother's cheeks. She never took her eyes from the television set and over and over again she crushed the unused handkerchief in her hand.

When the President talked of the young Americans who fought for peace, the mother's lips quivered and for one moment, the father looked away and closed his eyes. As soon as the broadcast was over, Mrs. Maslowski put her hand on her 49-year-old husband's shoulders. "He might be home for your birthday," she said. His birthday is March 30.

"WE NEVER gave up hope," she went on. "Because we know how bad Danny wants to come home. We've never been Tribune Photo by Walter Kile Patients in Veterans' Research Hospital listening to President Nixon announce a ceasefire in Viet Nam war. Wounded vet: It makes me feel like crying' son, Daniel, came at Uncle Henry's wake. Clustered around a kitchen table in the basement of a Northwest Side funeral home, Richard Maslowski, his wife, and their two sons waited hopefully for President Nixon to begin his message.

Another son, Daniel, an Army helicopter pilot, was shot down on May 2, 1970, in Cambodia. It wasn't until Nov. 11, 1971, that the Defense Department notified the family that their son's status had changed from MIA missing in action to POW, "HE WAS shot down just before his 21st birthday," said his mother, her voice beginning to crack. "We've waited for this announcement a very, very long time." As the President announced the peace, Mrs. Maslowski's eyes began to fill with tears.

As the President continued, she reached into her purse for a handkerchief and with her other hand, held a miniature set of wings given her by her son just before he left for Viet Nam on Easter Sunday in 1970. and was excited. "It's tremendous," she said "I have faith that everything is going to be all right from now on. When your flesh and blood is missing in action it is painful, but I understand because I was separated from my late husband for ZVi years from James Greene, 25, of 10116 S. Green a former sergeant, who said he was certain South Viet Nam's army could defend that country.

"After all, we've been training them since 1963," Greene in World War II," she said, "I'm used to counting on God to take care. This is a day By Ronald Yates THERE WERE at least 50 men playing pinochle and talking last night in the big, brightly lit room in the Veterans' Hospital, but at 9 p. m. all eyes were turned on the television set. Hardly a sound was heard as the well-known face flashed on the screen and a familiar voice began "Good evening.

I have asked for this radio and television time President Nixon was announc ing the end of the war in Viet Nam and his audience in this room at the hospital at 333 Huron St. consisted of experts. "EVERY MAN there was a veteran of some war and more than a few had left parts of their bodies in the steaming jungles and marshy rice paddies of Viet Nam. They sat in somber silence in their Veteran's Administration blue and green bathrobes as the President spoke. Only when he told how the prisoners of war would be freed did they break into cheers.

AND WHEN the brief address ended, there was prolonged applause. Those who could stand, stood to applaud. "It make me feel like cry-ing;" said Chuck Matthew, 28, a i de of the Roseland community on the South. Side who was a medic in Viet Nam during the heavy fighting of 1966-67. His eyes glistened and he gulped a few times.

without him. We have all his Christmas and birthday presents ready for him." The family left the kitchen table to return to the wake and Mrs. Maslowski turned to say, "It's just like he's been gone on a long trip and he's finally coming home." WHILE THE President was IF THE VETERANS had any reservations about the peace it was that the North Vietnamese may be getting off too lightly. "After serving there, I sure don't want to see South Viet Nam go Communist," said Harold Schmidt, 28, of Braidwood, an infantryman who was in combat in 1968 and 1969. "I believe we were there to make sure of South Viet Nam's freedom.

I just hope they don't lose it now." BUT HE GOT reassurance I prayed for," continued the relieved mother. "I don't know about Ken's future. We'll take it as it comes," she said, as Greene lost part of his left leg to a shrapnel wound in 1968. "If I could, I'd go back," said Greene, who is disabled. "I felt that by fighting there we were making sure that Communism would never come to this country." she went back to work.

U. is ready to move on return of prisoners POW kin thrilled, MIA wife asks for answers if port aircraft, with doctors and nurses aboard, would fly to The major problem in repa triating the first of the prison Hanoi from American bases in ers is arranging for their Southeast Asia and evacuate the first of the prisoners to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, the closest Ameri can base with extensive hospi tal facilities. Later, planeloads of prison' ers would be assigned to hos By Fred Farrar Chicauo Tribune Press Service WASHINGTON. Jan. 23- Defense Secretary Melvin R.

Laird said tonight that air and medical crews are ready to start returning American prisoners of war "as soon as possible" after the Viet Nam cease-fire goes into effect at 6 p. m. Chicago time next Saturday. Laird did not say when the POW returns would start. However, a Pentagon official familiar with details of the operations for the return of the prisoners said it is his opinion that the first prisoners could be back in American hands in a matter of one or two weeks.

pitals on Guam and Okinawa, transportation out of Viet Nam and other logistics involved under the terms of the ceasefire agreement announced by President Nixon tonight. Details of the agreement will be made public tomorrow morning. If the North Vietnamese allow American planes to fly directly to Hanoi to pick up the first of the prisoners, they may be on an American base in the Philippines in a matter of days after the cease-fire goes into effect. IF THE AGREEMENT allows it, American C-130 trans- or even to Japan. However, if the North Viet Jim Koepke from left Debbie Granger and Ann Flaherty react to truce announcement.

People in street subdued in reaction to Viet Nam peace namese insist upon delivering the prisoners themselves to a neutral site such as the city of Vientiane in Laos or to Mos A Ci Silted Lr: By Charles Mount THE NEXT 60 days will be a long and frightening time for people like Mrs. Virginia Capling of Roselle. President Nixon announced last night that all 587 prisoners of war would be released within 60 days. But he didn't say anything about the 1,355 men who are missing in action. Mrs.

Capling's husband is one of those men. "I had hoped that the President might have some word about the MIAs. He didn't have any. It hasn't helped me any. I don't have any answers and I can't tell from the speech when I will have.

"I HOPE THE President is as concerned about a full accounting of the MIAs as he is about peace with honor. I-think there is a definite chance that at least some of the MIAs will be forgotten amid the peace Mrs. Capling's husband, Air Force Lt. Col. Elwyn Capling, 42, a plane pilot, was shot down over North Viet Nam in September, 1968.

His cow, which has figured in speculation as a possibility, the return would take longer. Also, there has been some By Frank Blatchford THE REACTION of the man in the street last night to the announcement of a Viet Nam Big removal task posed by U. S. mines truce was subdued. It was similar to the lack of jubilation that marked the armistice in the Korean War in July, 1953.

The cheers reached a peak when it was announced that all prisoners of war would be home in 60 days. BACK AT STATE and Randolph Streets, President Nixon came in for both praise and condemnation. "He should have done it a long time ago," said Miss Ann Flaherty, of 8232 S. 83d Justice, a civil service worker. Jim Koepke, 64, of 4834 S.

Elizabeth disagreed. I THINK IT'S the truce really something," he said. "Thank God the thing is over. The lack of enthusiasm was not universal however. The Tribune Photo by Walter Kale Mrs.

Virginia Capling and her daughter, Kris, prepare to watch the President's address. Air Force Lt. Col. Elwyn Capling was shot down in Viet Nam in September of 1968. eyes of Debbie Granger, 19, of 9216 S.

Euclid sparkled as she exclaimed: "I THINK IT'S great news. leg was broken while parachuting from the plane, according to a radio message, and he hasn't been heard of since. For Mrs. Myrna Borling, Now all my friends can come home." concern altho not widespread among those charged with bringing the prisoners home that the North Vietnamese will insist that the war captives be evacuated by ship, thereby insuring that the United States clears the mines dropped in North Vietnamese harbors last May. ONCE THE prisoners are in American hands, plans call for their being given immediate physical examinations.

Those best able to travel wil be flown quickly to the U. S. and from there to the military hospitals closest to their homes. For those POWs able to walk, uniforms in their sizes, complete with insignia of rank and combat decorations, will be stocked in advance and on hand so they can wear them home. Once at hospitals in the U.

prisoners will be reunited with their families before being debriefed on their exep-riences in enemy captivity and to obtain information they may have about other prisoners the Defense Department lists as missing but who may have been seen in prisoner of war camps. Debbie said those friends in clude about eight young men now serving in Viet Nam. In Chicago Stadium, where You have to give the President credit." Many persons said they were fed up with the war and were happy that it is over. "Don't tell me, I'm not interested," said a woman who walked along the street with a stuffed poodle in a shopping bag. 20,000 persons were watching the National Basketball Associa tion All-Star game, cheers went up when President Nixon an nounced the end of the war.

able peace has been reached," she said. "But it won't be the end until I learn one way or another about my son. I was overjoyed. I shed a few tears, but I was sure happy to hear the good news." Also hoping as much as any man can hope was Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher MacDon-ald of Evanston, whose twin brother, George, 24, an Air Force lientenant, was shot down over North Viet Nam last December and listed as missing in action.

He said he is getting married this spring and he only wants one wedding present "my brother home for the wedding." Mrs. Peggy Lane, sister of John Conlon, a 31-year-old Air Force lieutenant, also missing in action, wants to see how the peace agreement is carried out. "How are they going to find gravesites. I feel this will be another Korea with men left behind. We are approaching the moment of truth we have all been waiting for and yet have dreaded.

"THE FACT THAT we know that some of our missing men are dead, none of us really will admit it. But we've all got this to face. We are numb." Mrs. Mildred Pilkington', Illinois coordinator for the National League of Families of POWs-MIAs, said the organization will help people whose relatives don't come back. Mrs.

Pilkington, whose son Tom, has been missing seven years, is confident that more information will be forthcoming about the MIAs. "I STILL CLING to the hope that Tom is alive. Until the accountability is completed to my satisfaction, that is the hope we all carry." Mrs. Capling's daughter, Kris, 9, just had one question as she watched the President. Turning to her mother she asked, "When will my daddy be coming home?" 'Burden can't be lifted' hero's dad wife of Air Force Lt.

John Borling, 31, the President's message was the thrill of a lifetime. Her husband, a known prisoner of war, would be coming home. "I am thrilled very surprised, very happy." Mrs. Borling, of Riverside, hasn't seen her husband for almost seven years. The Air Force Academy graduate was shot down over Hanoi in 1966 and her lone contact with him was a tape-recorded message broadcast Dec.

11, 1970, over the official North Vietnamese radio station. FOR MRS. GRACE OLSON, mother of Army Maj. Floyd Olson, 34, last night was "great wonderful, the best news I've heard in five years." "My son has been missing since 1967 and I'm happy its coming to an end and an honor- Continued from page one wife, Antoinette Milton's stepmotherwere alone in their 'Rather our snug bungalow at 9414 Ver By Fred Farrar Chicago Tribune Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 23-The job of clearing the mines from North Viet Nam's harbors will be a big one, according to informed sources here.

How quickly it gets done, they say, depends upon how many United States mine-sweeping ships and helicopters the North Vietnamese are willing to allow entry to do the job and how thoroly they want the harbors cleared. The sources say there is no question that the U. S. will have to remove the mines because no other country has the equipment in the area to do it. THE TASK OF clearing the mines emplaced since early last May is a slow and tedious one with the main consideration being to make sure that those engaged in the removal operation are not blown up by accidental detonation.

There are two general types of mines in the North Vietnamese harbors those attached to cables and floating under the surface of the water and those lying on the bottom. The floating mines can be cleared fairly easily by wooden-hulled minesweepers the wooden hulls prevent setting off mines sensitive to changes in the magnetic field-trailing booms on the ends of wires which cut cables mooring the mines. The free-floating mines are then exploded by gunfire. The mines resting on the bottom are harder to clear. Most of these are eilher magnetically-sensitive or pressure-sensitive.

The latter are set off by the increased water pressure set up by a ship passing over them. THESE MINES CAN be set off either by artificially-produced changes in the magnetic field around them or by detonating explosions above the mines to increase the water pressure on them. The most difficult area to clear, the sources said, will be North Vict Nam's major port non Av. as the President spoke. of Haiphong where the mines are the most sophisticated in the U.

S. arsenal. The more sophisticated the mine, the more difficult it is to remore safely, it was said. Meanwhile, other sources here said that U. S.

air power in Southeast Asia can be expected to remain at about its current strength of approximately 1,000 planes until all American prisonars of war and Americans missing in action either have been returned or accounted for. After that, the sources said, U. S. aircraft probably will be pulled out slowly as this country waits to see how scrupulously the North Vietnamese observe the truce. THEY SAY IF it is necessary to build up U.

S. air power again, it could be done quickly just as it was after last May 8 when President Nixon ordered renewed bombing of North Viet Nam and the mining of its harbors in response to North Viet Nam's spring offensive in South Viet Nam. One aircraft carrier probably will be kept off the coast of Viet Nam and other carriers could be sent there if needed. B-52 bombers can reach North Viet Nam quickly from the Island of Guam, a base used for B-52 raids against the the sources say. THE FIRST of the U.S.

units to be withdrawn probably will be the Marine Corps squadrons, the last American air units still in South Viet Nam. The bulk of American air power now in Southeast Asia is based in Thailand, from which B-52s and fighter-bombers can hit anywhere in North or South Viet Nam. Of the 1,000 American aircraft currently In Southeast Asia, approximately 200 are B-52s split between Guam and Utapao Air Base in Thailand and the rest are Air Force F-4s, F-llls, and F-5s and carrier-based Navy F-4s, F-8s, A-4s, and A-6s. it son over They had agreed to allow a reporter and photographer to be there during the expected peace announcement. goes back Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy.

Somewhve somebody went wrong and each felt the obligation to back the other's commitment," he said. "We the United States shouldn't have been in there. We got into a political war a civil war 10,000 miles from home, and you can't justify that." He said he hopes the nation "has learned enough from these conflicts and these blunders to live with peace" and that money which has gone to finance the war can be used to solve domestic problems. The only sign of nervousness or emotion either displayed as the President spoke was a ner vous tapping by Olive of his right index finger against his U.S. and Japan OK reduction of bases, pullout of 2,100 troops eft wrist.

Occasionally their glances strayed to a table spread with newspaper and magazine clip pings about Milton Lee. There was a framed picture or tne young man in uniform and a picture of ex-President Lyndon B. Johnson presenting the medal of honor posthumously a medal Continued from page one named for the two heroic South Siders. "IT MUST BE a miracle," said Mrs. Harvey when a reporter telephoned to tell her what the President had said.

"I didn't think that war would ever end. She added that as far as she Is concerned the war should have ended a long time ago. "I can't see where we accomplished anything over she said. But if the Harveys sound somewhat bitter, they also are proud. Their son's picture and his medals including the Medal of Honor he won for knocking out an enemy machine gun nest at the cost of his own life, hang on the living room wall a reminder to everyone who sees it.

in April, 1966. "Some people have tried to get me to say things political reverted from American to Japanese control last year. Portions of five other bases are also to revert to Japanese control within the three year period. AMERICAN AND Japanese negotiators agreed in principle that Naha Air Force Base on Okinawa would be returned to Japan, The agreement did not provide for any reduction in manpower of American forces on Okinawa, which provides the most concentrated bastion of American military power In the Pacific. By Donald Kirk Far East Correspondent Chlcaqo Tribune Presi Service TOKYO, Jan.

23-The United States and Japan today agreed on the withdrawal of 2,100 American troops and the reversion to Japan of five American military facilities over the next three years. "It helps to lower our profile here and increase efficiency," explained an American official after conclusion of the agreement. The agreement will leave the U. S. with an over-all total of 64,600 troops in all of Japan, including Okinawa, which things about this, but I ve only The U.

S. maintains 41,709 troops on Okinawa, including most of the 3d Marine Division. Four Air Force installations on the Japanese mainland will be returned td the Tokyo government. They include the big Air Force Base at Tachikawa, the nearby Yamato Air Station, the Kantomura Housing Area and the firing range at Mito north of Tokyo: The agreement signed today also calls for reduction of 500 U. S.

civilian employes, 2,600 Japanese employes on U. S. bases, and 7,500 U. S. military dependents.

Ink Spots singer shot, another jailed DENVER, Jan. 23 tAP -Prentice R. Norland, 47, a member of the Ink Spots singing group, was shot in the right knee early today and another member of the group, Leonard Pettway, 39, was jailed for investigation aggravated assault, police said. Sgt. Jim Jones said witnesses reported being awakened by two men arguing in a car and then hearing a shot fired.

said what I thought was right," Olive said. WHILE WAITING for the President to appear on television, he commented that it was sad that President Johnson died on the eve of peace." "It wasn't really his fault. It.