What Happened to American POWs Kept Behind After the Korean War
the 1956 State Department message that states the US is “compelled to believe that the Soviet Government has had and continues to have under detention crew members from the Privateer…” (p. 206) The message sites some of the alleged live sightings….BTW, also worth wondering at the lack of follow up on others sightings in that era, such as the Soviet captive reported to have “US Navy” and an anchor tattooed on his chest. [Did DoD ever see if any of the Privateer or other Navy crews had such a tattoo]
Anyway, I believe there is another reason the US government was “compelled to believe” some of the Privateer crew were captured. On p 204 I note declassified 1954 Navy dox that conclude the Soviet Navy appeared to be operating captured US electronic equipment. “In view of the successful salvaging and operation of the electronic equipment, there exists the possibility that some or all of the crew were taken into custody and are being held by the Soviets.”
IMO, there is a good chance more highly classified documents, not yet released, provide more info on this “electronic equipment” and its “operation.” This would appear to be sensitive equipment from the Privateer. How did the Soviets operate it? Test, or use in some sort of electronic warfare against the US? Did the way the equipment was used indicate a trained operator, such as a captured Privateer crewman, had trained the Soviets to use the equipment, or was being himself forced to use it? Could there even have been an American operator duress signal (subtle change in transmission used to show you are being forced by the enemy to transmit) or a American crewman’s “fist” detected in the operation (“fist” being the distinctive patterns made by individuals sending morse code)?

Some KPOWs Questions re Reported Survivors of the "Privateer'"


A 1956 State Department message to Moscow states the US is “compelled to believe that the Soviet Government has had and continues to have under detention crew members from the Privateer…” The message sites some of the alleged live sightings. Other sightings may never have been followed up, such as one from the Soviet captive who reported a prisoner with “US Navy” and an anchor tattooed on his chest. Did DoD ever see if any of the Privateer or other Navy crews had such a tattoo?Declassified US documents say the CIA may have had information on crewman Joe Danens. Was this ever given to his wife/family? Or with Pentagon investigators?


There may be another reason the US government was “compelled to believe” some of the Privateer crew were captured. A declassified 1954 Navy document conclude the Soviet Navy appeared to be operating captured US electronic equipment. “In view of the successful salvaging and operation of the electronic equipment, there exists the possibility that some or all of the crew were taken into custody and are being held by the Soviets.”

 

In our opinion there is a good chance more highly classified documents, not yet released, provide additional info on this “electronic equipment” and its “operation.” This would appear to be sensitive equipment from the Privateer. How did the Soviets operate it? Test or use it in some sort of electronic warfare against the US? Did the way the equipment was used indicate a trained operator, such as a captured Privateer crewman, had trained the Soviets to use the equipment, or was being himself forced to use it? Could there even have been an American operator duress signal (subtle change in transmission used to show you are being forced by the enemy to transmit) or a American crewman’s “fist” detected in the operation (“fist” being the distinctive patterns made by individuals sending morse code)?