Gulf War pilot probably KIA

VFW Magazine, Oct, 2003 by Tim Dyhouse

The only MIA of the Persian Gulf War was most likely killed in action, according to U.S. officials investigating his case. Navy pilot Michael Scott Speicher's F-18 fighter was shot down and crashed in west-central Iraq on Jan. 17, 1991. He probably died there shortly afterward, the Associated Press reported on Aug. 16, based on comments from "three defense officials familiar with the search."

In April, U.S. investigators found the initials "MSS" scratched into a Baghdad prison cell wall. But subsequent tests on hair found in the cell's drain did not match Speicher's DNA. Interrogation of Iraqi officials, analysis of documents and prison searches have led U.S. officials to conclude that Speicher was most likely never held by the Iraqis.