This document was transcribed with the assistance of Nick Miller. An index of military and diplomatic abbreviations referenced in this document can be accessed here.
[Left side of first page cut off]
[Date cutoff] NOV 78
[FM Washington DC]//CJCS//
TO RULPALJ//USCINSCO QUARRY HEIGHTS CZ
[Remainder of recipients appear on pdf.]
RUEKJCS 2580 CONFIDENTIAL
[Words cut off] Aircraft/personnel security for transportation of Jonestown
SecState 230055Z Nov 78 (Notal)
JCS 231425Z (Notal)
References advised US military aircraft would be utilized to Jonestown survivors from Georgetown to Charleston AFB, SC
Due to personal security concerns survivors will be put into two separate flights. AMEMB Georgetown will (illegible) passengers and release personnel for embarkation after by GOG
Members of Dept of Justice US Marshall Service Special Operations Group will be embarked in each flight along with USAF Police as follows: “EVE/LEARY” Group, approx. 24 pers two Marshalls: “LAMAR” [Lamaha Gardens] group, approx. 44 persons four (4) US
US Marshall service special operations group personnel considered as crew members by GOG will be included on (US Marshalls are mission essential and will be armed)
Page 3 REUK JCS 2559
7. Maj Helming of JTF accompanied by Maj Johnson, commander of GDF Piranha Battalion reconnoitered trails leading towards Venezuela in USA OH-58, they found nothing.1 RECCE based on map found in Jonestown showing possible escape and evasion routes, no recent footprints noted on trails, talked to locals and police in area, they reported no sighting of refugees.
8. at first light, 24 nov, Lt. Mercer, 193rd Inf Bdge, CZ, lead a patrol to scout jungle route heading 325 degrees from Jonestown, they found nothing. They were accompanies by GDF soldier who had been on earlier GDF patrols, to determine if GDF had missed anything.
9. This morning we took Fort Benning UH-LH helicopters from medevac unit, put bullhorns aboard, and sent them on cloverleaf state department American embassy Georgetown pattern recce FLILWTS in all four directions from Jonestown identified themselves as U.S. army helicopters, asking any US citizens to come out on trails and wave their arms if they wished assistance, so far no one has responded.
10. talked with Mr. Martin [Richard Martin], a vice consul of the embassy, who has just completed inventory of cemetery to east of Jonestown to determine the number graves there to assist in resolving the question
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Number of people that had been living in Jonestown, identified NLY five, repeat give, graves at cemetery.
11. Summary, this is current available info to assess situation BND for use in response to press queries as to the number of people who may have escaped tragedy of Jonestown. SOUTHCOM (FOA SOUTHCOM please retrains to any concerned you feel should have info)
Until cleared by U.S. State Department or American Embassy Georgetown
BT
- This may be referring to GDF Maj. Rannie Johnson and U.S. Army Maj. Richard Helmling, both of whom have been interviewed by the managers of this site. ↩︎