LETTER TO MR. H.L. GRUNDY PRESIDENT, AIR AMERICA, INC. FROM CLINTON P. ANDERSON

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP74B00415R000300070030-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 25, 2006
• Sequence Number: 30
• Publication Date: March 6, 1972
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2007/02/07: CIA-RDP74BO0415R000300070,03Q=5.
CLRITON P. ANOCRSON. N. Mm. CHAIRMAN
RICHARD D. RUSSELL. GA.
WARREN O. MAGNUSON, WASH.
STUART SYMINGTON. MO.
JOHN STENNIS. MISS.
STEPHEN M. YOUNG, OHIO
THOMAS J. DODO, CONN.
HOWARD W. CANNON, NEV.
SPESSARD L. HOLLAND, FLA.
WATER E. MONDALE. MINN,
MARGARET CHASE SMITH, MAINZ
BOURKE B. HICKENLOOPER, IOWA
CARL T. CURTIS. NEBR.
LEN B. JORDAN, IDAHO
EDWARD W. BROOKE, MASS,
CHARLES H. rERCY, ILL
iCrrifeb , fofez ,Sen"fe
COMMITTEE ON
AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE SCIENCES
March 6, 197
10013 New Federal Luildin3-
and U. S. Cour L,ou s e
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mr. H. L. Grundy
President, Air America,, Inc.
103 C;huuj Szn; Road. X.
Taipei, Taiwan
Dear ,fir. Grundy:
I have received reports of the efforts made by you and
your staff to rescue Captain Roy F. Townlay and the other crew
mamb;;rs who ware lost on a recent flight over Laos. On behalf of
Captain Tor;-n.l;y'v family and friends. I thank all of you for those
efforts, not only to locate ai.d rescue Roy. but Also in asbisting
Mre. Townley, my friend for many years.
I wish at this time to express appreciation for the heroic
work of Captain Rhyne. I o#far him my own sympathy and sincerely
hope that your company policies provide some small measure of
compen4ation for his injury.
I would also like to pass my thanks on to Mr. Cunningham
and Mr. Laird for their efficiency and courtesy in the interc~it they .
c'iisplayed towardb the family. '.Chase two members of your staff
proved themselves to be persona of noteworthy professional deuication.
Dare at home. Mr. Peterson of your Washington office was
most courteous and, helpful in relaying information from oversew anti,
I understand, went beyond his obligations in accepting. at company
expense. inquiries from local members of the family.
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Mr. H. L. Grundy
March 6. 1972
This letter iQ addressed primarily to you because I am
deeply impressed by the laudable tdam spirit which you have developed
in your organization. Such evidence of high morale and camaraderie
rnuut not pans unnoticed. I am enclosing copies of this letter for
individuals who have been mentioned by name. Our gratitude. however,
extends to all who assistad is that critical period.
Sincerely your.a.
Clinton P. Anderson
Z Encl.: Copy of letter to Captain and Mrs. Chowning
Copy of letter to Captain and Mrs. Lopes
cc: Mr. J. A. Curinin gam
Captain Jamoo A. Fhyno
Mr. Jotin i. Baird
Mr. Mark L. Paterson
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ADVANCE COPY D ISSUED ^ BLOTTED
DISSEM. BY / ' PER #_
SECRET GROUP ,
ATIC
E%CLDDWNCAAMIND AND
(When Filled In) DECLASSIf (CATION
4 3
S E C R E T 1011102 MAR 72 CITE
DIRECTOR INFO VIENTIANE,
ahs _ r~~sl~ 25X1A
ADMIN
C,, DIRECTOR 219435
AS FOLLOW UP TO REFERENCES A. AND Co,
B. VIENTIANE 52714. (NOT COPIED- DIRECTOR)4
A. VIENTIANE 51103 (NOT COPIED DIRECTOR)
~Ea IN 557320
G'
INQUIRES I N REFERENCE B. WHAT RESULTS9 POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE t
WERE ACHIEVED DURING WHITE HOUSE PARTY?S VISIT TO.CHINA.
WE FEEL AN OBVIOUS MORAL OBLIGATION TO INFORM DEPENDENTS OF
ANY NEWS, GOOD, BAD OR INCONCLUSI'V.E, PARTICULARLY SINCE THEY
WITHHELD OTHER ACTION AT COMPANY SUGGESTION IN FAVOR
OF1'INQUIRIES THROUGH THE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT.
2;, VIENTIANE FURTHER ADVISES THAT MRS. T0WNLEY, NOW WORKING
I IWIFE'S PRIVATE SECRETARY, PLANS TO VISIT CONUS
FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, DEPARTING VIENTIANE 12 MARCH SHE PLANS TO
25X1A VISIT I IHOME OFFICE FOR DISCUSSIONS REGARDING MISSING
BENEFITS AND WHEN DEATH BENEFITS CAN BE PAID UNDER EXISTING
COMPANY LIFE INSURANCE POLICY.
3. WITH LIMITED RESEARCH FACILITIES HERE-,
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 Y `tsS~ti :)LL it~.iMKl/tl s is i_iw: 1olJ;a iii
PERSON UNIT NOTIFIEApproved For Releas~ 2007/02/0$Eeft P74BO04"R0 013 0070030-5
D D FROM AUTOMATIC
EX LUDED FROM AUTOMATIC
ADVANCE COPY ^ ISSUED 0 SLOTTED
25X1A
25X1A PAGE 2
(When Filled In)
DECUl551 FICATION
IS NOT IN A POSITION TO ADVISE ON THE LAWS OF THE SEVERAL
7
STATES' REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF DE.ATHo THE CASE DOES NOT
FALL UNDER THE GENERAL ENOCH ARDEN. RULES SINCE THE DISAPPEARANCE
IS NOT WHOLLY UNEXPLAINEDo- WE BELIEVE THE GENERAL RULE IS THAT'
THE FACT OF DEATH IS AN ISSUE OF FACT 9 DEPENDENT UPON ALL THE
SURROUNDING CIRCUMSTANCES,
25X1A r4. WHILE 0 MIGHT ARRANGE AN INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
WITH A IL IFE r AS IN THE SCHWARTZ AND : SNODDY CASES p IT SHOULD
FW1?',NE; SIN MINI) THAT THE 'MISSING BENEF.ITS9 COMPRISING 70
.FL.1.?CL NL OF THE EMPLOYEE"S PAY..9 HAD NO PARALLEL IN THOSE
i`ASFO IT WOULD SEEM THAT WITH NO PERSONAL EXPENSES OF THE
'I`+TE TO MEETS THE DEPENDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE'TO MANAGE AS
41"" lLii a' 14A Nr,1'AL,L.,Y ON THOSE' BENEFITS AS THEY DID PRIOR TO HIS
1 l 'I'f.J.? 1I\.ANcE0
ON i EI A.I'll ED QUESTION WE INQUIRE WHETHER ANY ACTION HAS
w'AKEN BY
WASHINGTON 'TOWARD ASSUMPTION OF THE
i)'4', SING BENEFITS. BY BECO
~""i[I .I T r 5~r'!
E C H, E T
REFS A AND R BEING SENT TO DIRECTOR., GP- L,)
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