Specialist Keith Matthew Maupin

"BAGHDAD, Iraq (June 28) -- Iraqi militants killed an American soldier they have held hostage for nearly three months, saying the killing was because the U.S. government did not change its policy in Iraq, Al-Jazeera television reported Tuesday.

News of the killing of Spc. Keith M. Maupin, 20, of Batavia, Ohio, came hours after the United States returned sovereignty in Iraq to an interim government. The report did not say when Maupin was killed.

Maupin was captured during an ambush on a convoy west of Baghdad on April 9. Maupin was among nine Americans, seven of them contractors, who disappeared after the April 9 attack. The bodies of four civilian employees of Kellogg Brown & Root - a subsidiary of Vice President Dick Cheney's former company Halliburton - were later found in a shallow grave near the site of the attack. The body of Sgt. Elmer Krause, of Greensboro, N.C. was later found.

The Arab satellite station aired video showing a blindfolded man sitting on the ground. Al-Jazeera said that in the next scene, gunmen shoot the man in the back of the head, in front of a hole dug in the ground. It did not show the killing.

Maj. Willie Harris, public affairs spokesman for the Army's 88th Regional Readiness Command, said the videotape is being analyzed by the Department of Defense.

"There is no confirmation at this time, that the tape contains footage of Matt Maupin or any other Army soldier,'' he said, adding that the Maupin family was briefed ''as to the existence of a videotape."

Al-Jazeera said a statement was issued with the video in the name of a group calling itself ''The Sharp Sword against the Enemies of God and His Prophet.'' In the statement, the militants said they killed the soldier because the United States did not change its policies in Iraq and to avenge ''martyrs'' in iraq, Saudi Arabia and Algeria.

Maupin was among nine Americans, seven of them contractors, who disappeared after the April 9 attack.

The bodies of four civilian employees of Kellogg Brown & Root - a subsidiary of Vice President Dick Cheney's former company Halliburton - were later found in a shallow grave near the site of the attack. The body of Sgt. Elmer Krause, of Greensboro, N.C. was later found.

One civilian driver, Thomas Hamill of Macon, Miss, was kidnapped but escaped from his captors nearly a month later. The others are missing.

Maupin was promoted in absentia on May 1 from private first class to the rank of specialist, said Maj. Mark Magalski, a spokesman for the 633rd QM Ballation, based in Cincinnati."
Source:
Associated Press - June 28, 2004

The news of the capture of Matt Maupin and the others was swift. News spread of the fate of the others, but, not another word was heard of Pfc. Maupin. We've asked repeatedly, "Where is Pfc. Keith M. Maupin?" "What happened to him?" Now, we hear this. It was stated above that this American GI POW is presumed to be Matt Maupin, although officially unconfirmed.

Our prayers, hopes and thoughts are with the Maupin family, as well as the families and friends of all our POW/MIAs. Also, our prayers and deepest sympathies go out to all the families and friends of all our KIAs.

We, The People, The American Patriots, continue to stand by and support our troops - at home and abroad!!

May God bless them all and may their return home be swift and safe!!

God Bless America!!

Update - December 6, 2004

"Here is an update on what we've learned about a possible status change for Matt Maupin. Both Pentagon and Army Public Relations deny they are considering a status change.

According to what we've been told, by a reporter looking into the story, an Army representative made a comment to the family about status change and if our information is correct the family took that as the Army is considering a status change. Army reps also told the reporter that under the Missing Service Personnel Act one year would have to pass before a status change would be considered.

We've read that Act and to our understanding of that law it may be possible to change a status prior to the one year mark.

We would also like to remind everyone that the one year mark for Matt Maupin is four months from Thursday, December 9th.

Source:
Lynn O'Shea, Director of Research
National Alliance of Families
for the Return of America's Missing Servicemen"

Update - December 11, 2004

"Maupin Status – On Dec. 2nd the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati posted a story on their web site stating:

“The Pentagon is considering changing the Matt Maupin's status from "captured" to "deceased, body not recovered." And the missing soldier's family is asking you to help them fight it. Military officials now say they have little reason to doubt the person shown being executed on a tape last summer is the Clermont County native.

“The Maupin family fears a change in status would mean the search for their son is over. They're starting a writing campaign to lawmakers to try to keep Matt's case open.”

In a show of solidarity the National Alliance of Families issued a press release supporting the Maupin family and in opposition to any change in PFC Maupin’s status. That press release generated some media interest.

Reporters who contacted both the Pentagon and the Army were told there were no plans to change Maupin’s status. Clearly, the Maupin family had reason to think otherwise.

On Dec. 9th the same NBC affiliate reported: “The Army says it will continue to search for specialist Matt Maupin. The Clermont County native has been missing since his convoy was attacked in April. Maupin's family had feared Matt's status would be changed from "captured" to "deceased, body not recovered." But the military says that won't happen.”

As of now, Maupin remains in the captured status.

Source:
Lynn O'Shea, Director of Research
National Alliance of Families
for the Return of America's Missing Servicemen"

To: Matt Maupin:
An American Hero Comes Home