Fair & balanced media action ...
Below is the Commandant's letter to 60 Minutes in
response to Mr. Mike Wallaces' attempt to contact the
widow of the Osprey Crash.
Mr. Andrew Heyward
President, CBS News
524 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
20 December 2000
Dear Mr. Heyward:
I was extremely disappointed to learn that the staff
of 60 Minutes began a series of telephone calls to obtain an immediate interview with the widow of Lieutenant Colonel Keith M. Sweaney, less than 48 hours after he was killed in an MV-22 aircraft mishap on December 11, 2000. These attempts culminated
on December 13th when Mr. Mike Wallace telephoned the residence of Lieutenant Colonel Sweaney and aggressively pressed for "off the record" remarks concerning the mishap. Not satisfied with a
family friend's refusal to either put Mrs. Sweaney on the telephone, or provide any remarks, Mr. Wallace persisted. His tenacity was considered offensive and the conversation ceased only when the family friend abruptly terminated the
connection. The unbelievable insensitivity of his ill-
timed intrusion upon a grieving widow and her family and friends occurred during the very time that attempts to recover the remains of the crew were ongoing.
Given the nature of this particular mishap, especially as it pertains to the MV-22 program, I am not surprised that it has,
justifiably, attracted national attention. While we respect media inquiries, the unfeeling pressure employed by Mr. Wallace and his colleagues went beyond the pale of common decency. We recognize that it is our duty to share with concerned
Americans relevant information regarding the mishap, and
we take this obligation seriously. Our immediate priority, however, is to assist the loved ones of our Marines in coping with their sudden and enormous loss. Clearly, respecting the sanctity of such a moment escaped Mr. Wallace and 60 Minutes.
I am deeply disturbed by Mr. Wallace's reprehensible and irresponsible behavior. By failing to show the dignity and respect that should be accorded to grieving families during the most difficult of times, he and his staff have, to use a military term, shown their "true colors." No amount of apologies can remove the pain such conduct has unnecessarily inflicted on
a family that deserves so much better and so much more, nor will they abate the outrage felt by each United States Marine.
Sincerely,
J. L. JONES
General, U.S. Marines
Commandant of the Marine Corps
