Lloyd 'Pete' Bucher, commander of USS Pueblo, age 76, Laid to Rest in San Diego today - Feb 3, 2004

Mercury News ^ | 1/29/04 | Seth Hettena - AP

[NormsRevenge]

SAN DIEGO - Former Navy Cmdr. Lloyd "Pete" Bucher, who was commander of the USS Pueblo when the spy ship was captured by North Korea in 1968 and helped his crew survive nearly a year of abuse in captivity only to nearly face a court-martial, has died. He was 76.

[IncPen]

Where do they get these men?

Commander Bucher, RIP.

[Scenic Sounds]

I'm very sorry to learn this. ;-(

[CyberAnt]

FOX's War Stories recently did a story on the USS Pueblo. It was facinating! I am so glad that was done before Commander Bucher died. Too bad we couldn't have gotten the ship back from NK before he died.

God bless the family!

[SoCalPol]

I met commander Bucher here in S.D. some yrs back and told him I admired him for his service.

[truth_seeker]

Years later, Bucher remained angry that no U.S. forces were sent to aid the Pueblo.

"The U.S. at that time had enormous military forces in the western Pacific within five minutes flying time of us," Bucher told The Associated Press in 1988. "I would have thought something could be mustered to come to our aid. But everybody just forgot we were there."

That would be under the brilliant military/foreign policy era of Johnson, and McNamara (who did such a wonderful job with Vietnam strategy and tactics).

[JCG]

RIP brave warrior...

America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
http://12thman.us/media/jihad.rm (Requires RealPlayer)

Who is Steve Emerson?

[ken in texas]

Cmdr. Bucher --- May you Rest In Peace.

[vetvetdoug]

..no US Forces were sent to aid the Pueblo

I believe that General McKee, USAF, got information that one of our Navy boats had been taken by the North Koreans and after frustrating discussions with the Navy and the Pentagon, took it upon himself to send several jets from Okinawa with orders to shoot the hell out of the North Koreans if they were caught before they got into harbour. The jets got to the Pueblo as it was entering the NK harbour. General McKee was livid that the Navy with a carrier within a hundred miles would not send aid to the Pueblo. McKee's actions have been pretty much under the radar screen since it happened because he took it upon himself and went against the handwringing Navy and Pentagon.

It is an incontrovertible that Commander Bucher and his crew served above and beyond the call of duty, before, during and after their capture. The Navy and the Pentagon left the little boat high and dry. God Bless you Commander.

[snippy_about_it]

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The USS PUEBLO HiJacking (1/23/1968) - Nov. 4th, 2003

[Poundstone]

Actually, Bucher's final duty was DE-mining Haiphong harbor. The US was required to do this under the Paris Peace Accords which ended the Vietnam war.

The actual mining of Haiphong was done in May 1972 by Navy aircraft.

[NormsRevenge]

Thank You for posting the FReeper Foxhole link.

Click on the logo and read more about the USS Pueblo incident.

[snippy_about_it]

No problem. Thanks for your link. ;-)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for this post, NormsRevenge.

Thanks for the ping, SAMWolf.

---

"The man was a giant," Russell said from his home in Eureka, Calif. "Being the focal point between the Koreans and the crew, he took the brunt of everything. No matter who did what, he was always punished. I simply don't know where he got the strength and courage to go through what he did."

---

 

 

"I had people come to me and say on so many occasions that

they never really appreciated how great it was to be an American

 until they had the misfortune to have been captured and stuck in

a country that is completely devoid of humanity and truthfulness."

 

~ Cmdr. Lloyd "Pete" Bucher ~

 

[RightWingMama]

Ollie North's War Stories had the story of the Peublo capture on this past Sunday. Sorry to see Cmdr. Bucher has passed away. He and his crew went through hell. North Korea deserves payback. Someday, hoping it comes.

I saw that. So sad.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

May God Welcome him Home and Comfort his family and friends.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Snippy.

[Alamo-Girl]

I'm sorry to hear this. I pray for God's blessings and peace for all his loved ones.

[ASA Vet]

North Korea deserves payback. Someday, hoping it comes.

It's never too late.

[windchime]

Bump!

[BartMan1]

The court did note that Bucher's leadership helped the crew survive the ordeal. While Bucher was being grilled by the Court of Inquiry, crewmembers passed him a note that read, "We've made it this far together and we'll finish it together." The note was signed "Bucher's Bastards."

It is no small thing for a man to have one real friend in this life -- truly through his actions, Cmdr Bucher insured these men were his.