RE: DRAFT PRESS RELEASE - MERN CEREMONY

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06767115
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: July 25, 2019
• Case Number: F-2017-01475
• Publication Date: May 21, 2012

Approved for Release: 2019/05/29 C06767115
From:
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Subject:
(b)(3)
Monday, May 21, 2012 8:09 AM
Media
Re: Draft Press Release - Mem Ceremony
Hi - thanks very much. Looking at this now as I was in the last wkend of my yoga trning. Looking
forward to putting the finishing touches on the release this morning. Hope you enjoyed your wkend.
From:
Sent: Sunda
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Cc: Media
,May 20, 2012 05:47 PM
Subject: Re: Draft Press Release - Mem Ceremony
(b)(3)
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To: (b)(6)
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2012 4:18 PM
Subject: Fw: Draft Press Release - Mem Ceremony
(b)(3)
From:
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2012 07:08 PM
To: Media
Subject: Draft Press Release - Mem Ceremony
CIA Holds Annual Memorial Ceremony to Honor Fallen Colleagues
The Central Intelligence Agency today paid tribute to all of its exceptional men and woman who have died in
the line of duty. One star was recently added to the CIA's Memorial Wall, which now commemorates the lives
of 103 courageous Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Fifteen selfless
patriots who recently had their names inscribed in the CIA's Book of Honor were remembered at the ceremony.
Standing before the wall in the lobby of CIA headquarters, Director David H. Petraeus said: "The 103 souls
represented by the stars on the wall behind me all heard the same call to duty and answered it without
hesitation�never for acclaim, always for country. They devoted their hearts and minds to a mission unlike any
other, at an Agency unlike any other, serving on the world's most dangerous frontiers to defend our people,
defeat our adversaries, and advance our freedoms. Their words and deeds will inspire us forever, and their
service and sacrifice shall never be forgotten."
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Approved for Release: 2019/05/29 C06767115
The memory of Jeffrey R. Patneau, a young can-do officer who was killed in Yemen in September, 2008, was
honored today as the CIA's 103rd star. "Jeff proved that he had boundless talent, courage, and innovation to
offer to our country in its fight against terrorism," the Director said. "Tested by adversity, Jeff had been more
than equal to every task. He was taken from us just as he had begun what promised to be a brilliant career and a
life of great consequence to the people he loved and to the nation he revered."
Five of the names entered in the Book of Honor are those of officers who perished on April 18, 1983 when a
suicide bomber destroyed the US Embassy in Beirut. Phyliss N. Faraci was a remarkable officer who was one
of the last four Americans evacuated from the Mikong Delta when Saigon fell. Deborah M. Hixon was a
talented young officer fluent in French who volunteered for a temporary posting in Beirut. Frank J. Johnston,
a 25-year veteran officer, couldn't resist the request of a superior who wanted him on his team despite being on
the verge of retirement. James F. Lewis, who after a distinguished military career joined the CIA as a
paramilitary officer, spoke French and Arabic fluently and was uniquely qualified for service in Beirut. Jim's
wife, Monique N. Lewis, was only hours into her first day as an eager Agency officer when the bomber struck.
Speaking about the loss of these five officers, Director Petraeus said: "Beirut was not, of course, the CIA's first
deadly encounter with terrorism, but it was there that we first caught sight of the adversary that we face today."
Four other names newly entered into the Book are of those of officers lost to terrorist acts. Molly N. Hardy,
who was killed in the August, 1998 suicide bombing of the US Embassy in Nairobi, earned the Distinguished
Intelligence Cross�the CIA's highest honor�for her situational awareness and compassion during the
moments preceding the blast. In March, 1995 Jacqueline K. Van Landingham, an accomplished officer, was
killed in Pakistan. Leslianne Shedd had been serving a highly successful tour in Ethiopia when in November,
1996 a hijacked plane she was on crashed into the Indian Ocean. According to a survivor, Leslianne spent her
final moments comforting those around her. Matthew K. Gannon, an officer with an exceptionally bright
future, died in the December, 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
"We are reminded of the sheer sweep of our global mission by the stories of the five other officers honored
today, whose experiences demonstrate the risks inherent to intelligence work," the Director said. For selfless
heroism, Barry S. Castiglione earned the Agency's Intelligence Star. He died in El Salvador in July, 1992.
Lawrence N. Freedman, a 25-year Army veteran when he joined the Agency in 1990, was performing work
for a humanitarian aid mission when he was killed in Somalia in December, 1992. Larry was awarded the
Intelligence Star. Thomas M. Jennings, Jr. was killed in Bosnia in December, 1997 after volunteering for a
temporary assignment there. Freddie R. Woodruff was a gifted linguist who had mastered German, Turkish,
Greek and Russian. He was killed in Georgia in August, 1993. Robert W. Woods volunteered to accompany
former Congressman Mickey Leland on a humanitarian mission in Ethiopia and was killed when their plane
crashed in August, 1989�yet another example of selfless service.
The memorial ceremony is attended each year by hundreds of employees, retirees, and family members and
friends of those who have died in service with CIA.
2
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Approved for Release: 2019/05/29 C06767115
CIA Holds Annual Memorial Ceremony to Honor Fallen Colleagues
The Central Intelligence Agency today paid tribute to all of its exceptional men and woman who
have died in the line of duty. An additional star was carved on the Memorial Wall this year,
which commemorates the lives of 103 courageous Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice
in service to this country.
Standing before the wall in the lobby of CIA headquarters, Director David H. Petraeus said: "The
103 souls represented by the stars on the wall behind me all heard the same call to duty and
answered it without hesitation�never for acclaim, always for country. They devoted their
hearts and minds to a mission unlike any other, at an agency unlike any other, serving on the
world's most dangerous frontiers to defend our people, defeat our adversaries, and advance
our freedoms. Their words and deeds will inspire us forever, and their service and sacrifice
shall never be forgotten."
�
The DCIA honored the memory of Jeffrey R. Patneau, a young can-do officer who was killed in
Yemen in September 2008. "Jeff proved that he had boundless talent, courage, and
innovativeness to offer to our country in its fight against terrorism," the Director said. "Tested
by adversity, Jeff had been more than equal to every task. He was taken from us just as he had
begun what promised to be a brilliant career and a life of great consequence�one of faithful
service to the people he loved and to the nation he revered."
In total, fifteen names were inscribed in the CIA's Book of Honor this year, allowing Agency
officers to publicly honor the memory of several whom we have silently mourned for years.
Five of the names entered in the Book of Honor are those of officers who perished on April 18,
1983 when a suicide bomber struck the US Embassy in Beirut, killing 63 in the most destructive
terrorist attack against a US official presence at that time. Phyliss N. Faraci was one of the last
four Americans evacuated from the Mekong Delta when Saigon fell. She was an intensely
devoted officer who volunteered to work in Beirut. Deborah M. Hixon was a talented young
officer fluent in French who volunteered for a temporary posting in Beirut. Frank J. Johnston, a
25-year veteran officer, couldn't resist the request of a superior who wanted him on his team in
Beirut, even though Frank's retirement was just around the corner. James F. Lewis joined the
CIA as a paramilitary officer�after a distinguished career in the US military�and his fluent
French and Arabic uniquely qualified him for service in Beirut. Jim's wife, Monique N. Lewis,
was only hours into her first day as an Agency officer when the bomber struck that terrible day.
Speaking about the loss of these officers and the others who perished with them, Director
Petraeus said: "Beirut was not, of course, the CIA's first deadly encounter with terrorism, but it
was there that we first caught sight of the adversary that we face today." Four other Agency
officers whose names were entered into the Book of Honor this year also lost their lives to
terrorist acts. Matthew K. Gannon, a talented young officer with an exceptionally bright
future, died in the December 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
Veteran officer Molly N. Hardy, moments before she was killed in the August 1998 suicide
bombing of the US Embassy in Nairobi, used her keen situational awareness to warn colleagues
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Approved for Release: 2019/05/29 C06767115
to take cover. Molly exemplified the valor and compassion that are hallmarks of our finest
officers. Leslianne Shedd was serving a highly successful tour in Ethiopia when, in November
1996, hijackers forced down her plane over the Indian Ocean, killing over 125 people. Survivors
of that flight tell us that Leslianne�an outstanding young woman�spent her final moments
comforting those around her. In March 1995 Jacqueline K. Van Landingham, an accomplished
officer known for her liveliness and humor, was on her fourth overseas tour when she was
killed in Pakistan.
"We are reminded of the sheer sweep of our global mission by the stories of five other officers
honored today, whose experiences demonstrate the risks inherent to intelligence work, as well
as the bravery and integrity of those who perform it" the Director said. For his heroism, Barry
S. Castiglione earned the Agency's Intelligence Star for a successful July 1992 ocean rescue of a
colleague in distress. Barry died in the effort, which took place in El Salvador. Lawrence N.
Freedman, a 25-year Army veteran when he joined the Agency in 1990, was performing work
for a humanitarian aid mission when he was killed in Somalia in December 1992. Larry also was
awarded the Intelligence Star. Thomas M. Jennings, Jr., an accomplished veteran officer, lost
his life in Bosnia in December 1997 after volunteering for a temporary assignment there.
Freddie R. Woodruff was a gifted linguist who had mastered German, Turkish, Greek and
Russian. He was killed in Georgia in August 1993 after volunteering for a temporary
assignment. Robert W. Woods volunteered to accompany former Congressman Mickey Leland
on a humanitarian mission in Ethiopia and died when their plane crashed in August 1989�yet
another example of selfless service.
The memorial ceremony is attended each year by hundreds of employees, retirees, and family
members and friends of those who have died in service with CIA.
Approved for Release: 2019/05/29 C06767115