Maupin status under review (May Delare Him dead)

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http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050406/NEWS01/504060395/1056/news01

WASHINGTON - If the military panel that meets today recommends changing the status of Batavia soldier Keith Matt Maupin from "captured" in Iraq to "dead," his family would get $12,000 in death benefits and any life insurance Maupin had.

It's money father Keith Maupin never wants to see.

"He's my buddy," the elder Maupin said. "I want my buddy back. I need my fishing buddy."

The elder Maupin continued, "I mean, I don't think they're going to change his status, but that's just a gut feeling on my part. It would only give a negative feeling to the troops there now. Our hope is strong. We want him back."

Captured a year ago as a private and promoted twice since then (this week, the military announced his new rank is sergeant), Maupin is the only U.S. soldier now unaccounted for in Iraq, according to Army officials

I know the military is weird, but that's just....

When there is no body, you convene a board consisting of at least three members. They look at all the available information, and make a determination. They can change his status to POW-KIA, or leave him in the category that he is currently in--either POW, or MIA--presumed captured.

This is awfully quick, though (relatively speaking). They must have some verifiable video or something--maybe a body part that they've run the DNA on. I know it was asserted that a video the insurgents released was of that kid's murder, I saw some of it, and I have to say it looked like the real deal to me, but that is just supposition on my part.

And what better time to slip this awful news in under the radar, with the Pope, Prince Ranier, and Michael Jackson jockeying for headlines?

I've sat on those boards, and I was always inclined not to change status without really compelling evidence. I feel for his family.

i don't recall that story.

This undated photo provided by the family shows Army Reserve Pfc. Keith M. Maupin, who has been missing since last April 9, 2004, when his fuel truck convoy was ambushed by insurgents west of Baghdad. Maupin is the only soldier the U.S. Army lists as captured in Iraq. (AP Photo)

went unrecognized during the cleanup.

Oh, look, roadkill.

That's my uber-cynical impression anyway.

...was taken from the back, and you had a one quarter to one third view of the young man's face. They had him bound, kneeling before a hole dug in the ground and apparently they shot him and dumped him in the hole. I also saw video of him in captivity, so I don't think they missed him after the ambush.

Some background: http://www.pownetwork.org/gulfII/maupin.htm

we'd love to see your son come back as well.