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.
210914Z NOV 78 ZFF4
FM JCS WASHINGTON DC//NMCC//
TO RULPALU/USCINSCO QUARRY HEIGHTS CZ
[Remainder of recipients appear in pdf.]
SUBJ: Situation
On scene reports from Guyana indicate that 405 Americans, 140 of which are children are dead. Operations at this time have begun staging out of Matthews Ridge installation, 20 miles southeast of Kaituma airfield. Matthews Ridge airfield is reported to have a 4,500 foot hard packed surface runway and can probably handle a C-134 aircraft. Port Kaituma is located near Jonestown, but it’s reported (illegible) foot loose surface runway can
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handle only very small aircraft of the twin otter type, both airfields are equipped for daylight operations only. The roads in the area are dirt and passable only by 4-wheel drive vehicles during the rainy season which begins in late November, GOG forces began arriving at Matthew’s Ridge from Georgetown by aircraft Sunday, 19 Nov 78. The reported total Guyanese force in the area now number approximately 120 men, travel by government forces is currently being hindered by heavy rain, the US embassy/communications team sent from Panama reached Jonestown on the 20th to provide additional support. Information following the murder of Congressman Ryan and four other members of his party indicate that members of the fanatical religious group began committing suicide while other armed members shot those unwilling to commit suicide. At 1700 hours local 20 Nov, the local police commissioner informed the US embassy that People’s Temple leader Jim Jones, his wife, son, and 11 members of his bodyguard were identified among the dead at Jonestown. It is believed that many of the cult’s members who fled the suicide and murder scene are currently wandering in the heavy jungle surrounding Jonestown.
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- Friendly Operations a chronology of operating forces:
- a. JCS execute order 190526Z (Time slightly illegible) to MAC/SOUTHCOM Authorized medevac aircraft and personnel to Georgetown
- b. On 19 Nov 78 JCS approved one C-141 aircraft with pathologist, aircraft landed at Georgetown at 191255Z Nov 78. (Time slightly illegible.)
- c. JCS 191559Z approved C-130 aircraft to deploy from Canal Zone to Georgetown with embassy augmentation and SOUTCOM communications team,
- d. At 191947Z Nov 78 (time slightly illegible) JCS approve positioning of second medevac c-141 at Georgetown
- e. C-132 aircraft departed Georgetown at 202013Z Nov 78 (time slightly illegible) with relatives of Jonestown residents onboard
- f. JCS crisis action team activated at (illegible time) Nov 78
- g. Second medevac c-141 arrived at Georgetown at (illegible time)
- h. JCS execute order (illegible time) activated the JTF and armed forces to Guyana to assume transfer and custody of deceased and return remains to Dover AFB
Funeral location will commence at (illegible time) Nov 78
- General information:
- a. The State Department has requested priority be given to the early arrival of the graves registered teams and the (illegible) aircraft to assist ongoing actions.
- b. Suitability of Matthew’s Ridge for C-132 use has not yet been determined.
GDS 86
BT
#2138
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