Tributes To CIA Hero Who Died In Action

Ananova ^ | 11-28-2001

[blam]

Tributes to CIA hero who died in action

Tributes are being paid to the first American to be killed in combat in Afghanistan.

CIA officer Johnny 'Mike' Spann has been killed in the prison riot in Mazar-i-Sharif.

The CIA will not reveal why the 32-year-old was in the prison when the riot broke out, but is hailing him a hero with 'absolute courage'.

His body was only recovered after the Taliban rebellion was finally stopped by the Northern Alliance captors.

Four other Americans have died in accidents outside Afghanistan, but Mr Spann was the first to be killed in combat in the country.

He was one of an unknown number of CIA agents liaising with Northern Alliance commanders,

CIA director George Tenet paid tribute to Mr Spann saying: "He was where he wanted to be: on the frontlines, serving his country."

"He was an American hero and a man who showed passion for country and his agency with absolute courage," he added.

Mr Spann, from Winfield, Alabama was a former colonel in the Marines. He joined the CIA in 1999 and leaves a widow, two daughters and a baby son.

Story filed: 19:00 Wednesday 28th November 2001

[blam]

Pray for ALL our troops.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Johnny "Mike" Spann

BUMP!

[madison46]

Bump as well. Anyone near Winfield, Alabama I hope will send my heart felt sypmathies to his family.

[blam]

Winfield, Alabama

Statistics & Facts:

The population of Winfield is approximately 3,689. The approximate number of families is 1,629.

The amount of land area in Winfield is 29.874 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.126 sq kilometers.
The distance from Winfield to Washington DC is 716 miles. The distance to the Alabama state capital is 141 miles. (as the crow flies)
Winfield is positioned 33.92 degrees north of the equator and 87.79 degrees west of the prime meridian.

(small town America)

[OldFriend]

Heartbroken condolences to this wonderful man's family. Without people like Mike there would be NO America.

[Rosetta Stone]

He was only 32 years old, and a former colonel? Something is wrong there.

[spectr17]

Agree, most colonels have a touch of gray at least.

[japaneseghost]

So much for the CIA taking 5 years to train ops before putting them in the field.

[AppyPappy]

He was involved in interrogations. I suspect he was a language expert.

[knews_hound]

This former Army Sgt salutes you Sir....

Semper Fi

[Saundra Duffy]

Thank you - from a grateful nation. For victory & freedom!!!

[sokit2mebb]

Bump for prayer for his family. May God bring them comfort during this difficult time and may God have mercy on his soul.

[BluH2o]

He was only 32 years old, and a former colonel?

He joined the CIA in 1999 ... which would mean he was 29 or 30 at the time. He was probably a captain, or possibly a major when he left the Corps. My bet, he's a graduate of the military language school in Monterey, CA and was involved with interrogation of the Taliban prisoners.

[Amore]

I just watched John Spann, the father of Michael, on Fox News. He criticized the press (politely, that's the Southern upbringing!) for publicizing the fact that his son was a CIA agent at a time when it was still not known whether he was still alive. He felt publicizing the CIA connection could have caused him to be killed.

[McGavin999]

I just saw his father on TV. No wonder this young man turned out so fine.

[RoughDobermann]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a CIA "agent" someone who is recruited by a CIA "officer?" There is a HUGE difference... Surely, Mr. Spann was a CIA officer, not an agent.

[GussiedUp]

I just watched John Spann, the father of Michael, on Fox News. He criticized the press (politely, that's the Southern upbringing!) for publicizing the fact that his son was a CIA agent at a time when it was still not known whether he was still alive. He felt publicizing the CIA connection could have caused him to be killed.

I was practically jumping off my chair cheering when that soft-spoken man so eloquently body-slammed the worthless media. I quickly turned from Fox to PMSnbc and CNN to make sure it was live there too and IT WAS - I was so glad because there is NO WAY those cowards will show THAT again. God rest that young man's soul and bless his family and "Semper Fi".

[Miss Marple]

I saw it as well. I hope there is a transcript later posted by Fox. Excellent criticism of the media in polite southern form, and his son is a hero, as his father said.

The father was very impressive, and although grief-stricken, was able to speak with eloquence and patriotism. God bless the entire family.

[rabidralph]

I heard on the radio that he was kicked, beated and bitten to death! The Taliban prisoners deserve whatever death their captors treat them to.

[GussiedUp]

I heard on the radio that he was kicked, beated and bitten to death! The Taliban prisoners deserve whatever death their captors treat them to.

I know, I heard that too - It made me physically ill to hear. I don't even know what to say to something like that. Those people are worse than animals.