Air Power History Article
Apparently Dr. Kohn was concerned the AFBCMR would make a finding different from what had been the position of the OAFH under his administration. He wrote an article that was published in the Spring 1992 issue of Air Power History magazine. Was he making an effort to influence the Board? SYMA thought so and objected and asked Senator Bob Dole to call it to the attention of Secretary of the Air Force Donald B. Rice. The following is the exchange of correspondence between Senator Dole and Secretary Rice:
“March 24, 1992
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I am writing to express my concern about a recent article that the former Chief of Air Force History, Dr. Richard Kohn, published in the Spring, 1992, issue of Air Power History.
Dr. Kohn’s article gives his personal views of the shoot down of Japanese Admiral Yamamoto in April 1943. Although not present at the Air Force Board of the Correction of Military Records hearing in October 1991, Dr. Kohn dismisses the substantial evidence presented to the Board and disregards the testimony of two eye witnesses and over 200 pages of documents.
As the Board is still in deliberation on this matter, I believe Dr. Kohn’s timing of this article is extremely unfortunate and may appear as an attempt to influence the Board. I hope that you will ensure that the Board’s decision rests on the preponderance of evidence and not external personal views that are contrary to the testimony, documentation and exhaustive investigation that was given in regard to this controversy.
Sincerely,
Bob Dole
United States Senate”
“March 31, 1992
Dear Senator Dole:
Thank you for your letter concerning Dr. Richard Kohn’s article in Air Power History.
I agree that the timing of this article is unfortunate but can assure you the article will not be considered in the deliberations of the Correction Board.
The Executive Director of the Board has been in touch with Mr. Bill Wisecarver of your staff and Mr. George Chandler to confirm that Dr. Kohn is no longer the Air Force Historian and is not privy to the Board deliberations. There has been absolutely no ex parte contact between Board members, or Board staff, and Dr. Kohn, nor will there be. Only the evidence of record will be considered by the Board in their deliberations.
I appreciate your patience with this case and will inform you as soon as a decision is reached.
With regards,
Donald B. Rice”
Air Power History Article Spring 92
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