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From Frank Clynes, Aug 5, 2017
The most satisfying story I ever covered at WTEV-6 was in 1970, while assigned to their Washington bureau. A South Carolina congressman showed me an official State Department document, marked ''secret.'' It concerned an incident at sea the previous day, involving the USCG Vigilant, based out of New Bedford. The ship was off the coast of Martha's Vineyard alongside a Soviet Union Factory ship, when their Lithuanian radio operator jumped onboard the American Cutter, and requested political asylum. Commander Ralph Eustis initially granted it. He took measures to conceal Simas Kudirka under a canvas, then prepared to return to New Bedford. The Russian captain on learning about it, demanded his return. When Eustis refused, the Russian contacted USCG Captain Brown, commander of search and rescue in Boston. Brown, concerned more with avoiding an international incident, ordered Eustis to give Kudirka back to the Russian, but he refused. Admiral Ellis got involved and also ordered Eustis to surrender him, but Eustis still refused. Ellis contacted the Stare Department in D.C. and they also advised that Kudirka be surrendered. Under this mounting pressure, Commander Eustis finally relented, and let the Soviet ship's Communist party security officers board the American Cutter, and they dragged him back. A lid of secrecy was imposed on the incident, and the Vigilant was ordered to return to port. This was essentially what I was reading in the State Department dispatch. The Congressman said, ''This just ain't right. Somebody ought to do something.'' I had just arrived at the Capitol, and I called National Airport to book the next flight back. Secrecy was essential, so I didn't even tell my reporter where I was going, or why. When I arrived back at the tv station, the news director was furious with me. He had served in WWII, and told me if the government wanted to cover up this story, they must have a very good reason. ''It's not the news media's job to second guess our nation's leaders, in matters of national security.'' I was absolutely convinced my news director must've read a different U.S. Constitution than I did. This was Exactly what we were supposed to be doing. He ordered me to forget the story and go home. When I got to the corner of Union and County St. I could see the Vigilant's masts rising over the State Pier at the bottom of the hill. I knew what I had to do. Ralph Eustis was in his captains quarters, mulling over the events of the previous day. Regrets? He had them. If he could've relived that day, he'd do it different. The phone rang and the Guardsmen at the gangplank told him a tv photographer was requesting permission to board. ''Permission granted.'' When I entered the cabin, he told me to set up the camera and ask all my questions. He gave me the whole story, omitting nothing. What bothered him most, was the look on the faces of his men, when he let the Russians beat up and drag Simas Kudirka off his ship. He lost something he would never have again. Eustis told me his superiors had placed a gag order on him, and I asked how this would affect his career. He told me his career was over, when he let me on his ship. He was convinced the KGB would kill Kudirka and throw his body overboard. But we might yet be able to save him. My career was finished as well. I had gotten the story that I was ordered to forget. My intention was to return to WTEV-6 to resign, then offer the interview to WJAR-10 in Providence. The news director had left for the day, but Truman Taylor said he'd air it at 6 PM. He made two copies of it, and I went to the airport and sent them to ABC and CBS. It was Channel 6's film, but that sound camera belonged to me. When it aired in Washington later that day, Secretary of Transportation John Volpe learned for the first time, what his Coast Guard commanders had failed to inform him. He contacted his boss Richard Nixon, who called Soviet Primier Andrei Gromyko in Moscow. Orders were issued that Simas Kudirka was not to be harmed. He was returned to the USSR for trial, and sentenced to 20 years in Siberia. The United States negotiated his release, and he was freed after a short time in prison. Simas Kudirka was charged with the most heinous crime any USSR citizen could commit. He had yearned to breathe free. Simas was deported to the United States along with his family, and eventually settled in New York City. He later wrote a book about his experience, called, ''For those still at sea.'' John Volpe demanded the immediate resignations of Admiral Ellis and Captain Brown. Commander Ralph Ellis lost command of the USCG Vigilant, but he was allowed to remain in the Coast Guard for the remainder of his 20 year career.. I was not fired, but the news director pulled me out of the Washington bureau. I knew that it was only a matter of time before I'd be deported, so I accepted a position at WPRI-12. If I had it to do over, would I do it again? You bet I would. For Simas Kudirka, and for all those still at sea. |
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