UNITED STATES: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS TWO U.S. NAVY FLIERS ACCIDENTALLY SHOT DOWN BY JAPANESE ARE "OKAY"

Record ID: 337708

  • Title: UNITED STATES: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS TWO U.S. NAVY FLIERS ACCIDENTALLY SHOT DOWN BY JAPANESE ARE "OKAY"
  • Date: 4th June 1996
  • Summary: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES (JUNE 4, 1996) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) *******AUDIO AS INCOMING********** 1. SV/SLV UNITED STATES PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON ON WHITE HOUSE LAWN/ CLINTON WALKING TOWARD HELICOPTER/ CLINTON RESPONDING TO A REPORTER'S QUESTION ABOUT THE U.S. NAVY FLIERS ACCIDENTALLY SHOT DOWN BY JAPANESE DESTROYER SAYING "THEY'RE OK" (ENGLISH)/ CLINTON BOARDS THE HELICOPTER 0.42 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 19th June 1996 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA5FS1A9A6KO01EI30XS420Y9N
  • Story Text: INTRO: President Bill Clinton said two U.S. Navy fliers accidentally shot down by a Japanese destroyer in the Pacific were "okay." The plane was hit by Japanese gunners instead of the target plane that it was towing.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------- United States (U.S.) President Bill Clinton on Tuesday (June 4) reassured the nation about the fate of the two U.S. Navy fliers shot down by a Japanese destroyer in the Pacific ocean.

    Replying to a reporter's question as he boarded a helicopter on the White House South Lawn for a day trip to New Jersey, Clinton said of the pair: "They're okay." At its Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, headquarters, the U.S. Pacific Fleet said the Navy fliers ejected safely from their A-6E Intruder attack fighter and were recovered "in good condition" after their aircraft was downed, accidentally, by a U.S.-built advanced Gatling gun on the Japanese warship.

    The aircraft had been towing a target plane behind it when rounds from a high-technology six-barrel Gatling gun firing depleted uranium bullets at a rate of 3,000 rounds per minute hit it.

    A fleet statement said the two, who were not immediately identified, were picked up by a small boat from the destroyer. They were taken by helicopter back to the carrier USS Independence, where their attack fighter had been based.


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