Jason William Dies EW3 USS Horne NCIS

TO:
ALL PERSONNEL ASSIGNED TO THE USS HORNE 1989 - 1993
ALL PERSONNEL ABLE AND WILLING TO PROVIDE INFORMATION

IN RE: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
PO3 Jason William DIES, USN
USS HORNE 1990-1991

I am conducting an investigation pertaining to PO3 Jason William DIES, USN, who is MISSING. PO3 DIES was assigned to the HORNE during its Gulf War deployment (90-91). PO3 DIES was commonly known as "DIAZ", and sometimes "Bill". PO3 DIES has been missing since returning from the noted deployment. NCIS will continue to pursue this investigation until PO3 DIES is found; as it should be.

Thus far, NCIS has interviewed only one (1) person who reported seeing PO3 DIES after the HORNE's return to home port; other than that, NCIS has been unable to locate anyone who is willing or able to discuss their knowledge of PO3 DIES after the HORNE's return to port. NCIS has only interviewed a few persons who reported knowing or seeing PO3 DIES onboard the HORNE during its deployment. Any information regarding PO3 DIES during these time periods, during and after the deployment is extremely important. NCIS is expanding this investigation to ensure every person who knew and/or observed PO3 DIES or his associates are interviewed.

The lack of input so far from the HORNE community is most likely due to a common perception the information sought by NCIS is limited to "what happened to PO3 DIES", and only that. HOWEVER, NCIS is searching for ALL information pertaining not only to PO3 DIES, but everything having to do with the HORNE, crewmates and associates of PO3 DIES, the HORNE's entire crew, and San Diego in 1991 and the surrounding time.

In short, if you were on or near the HORNE in 1990 and/or 1991, NCIS needs to hear from you. The HORNE's crew numbered about five hundred (500) at any given time, so if you can limit your communication with me to e-mail, I am certain we can all work together effectively.

When you send me an e-mail, you will NOT be wasting my time. Please include your full name, year of birth (if you're willing and comfortable) and contact information, such as a telephone number. Photographs and / or documents to facilitate the information you provide are very welcome. If the information you provide is from a source other than yourself (you heard something from someone else, or you "have a feeling"), your information is still extremely important to me; please explain yourself as fully as you can, to help me understand. If you believe someone has certain information, please let me know as much as you can. If you have information you perceive you are unable to share, such as medical or pay information, please contact me and we will obtain the appropriate legal clearance, if available before you share any information. If you know what happened to PO3 DIES, or where he is right now, please don't hesitate to contact me immediately.

If you do NOT want to be named in a NCIS report, please let me know and I will discuss that with you. If you want to remain anonymous, you can submit a TIP via the "real" NCIS website (https://www.ncis.navy.mil/); click the "SUBMIT A TIP" button on the top of the home page.

If you believe you have already provided NCIS information pertaining to this case, and there is nothing else you can add, please try and find the time and energy to communicate everything you know once again and provide all information you have. Although this seems redundant, it very well might provide clarification or additional information; this will be tremendously helpful. Please be patient for your Shipmate's sake, provide all information known to you, and encourage others to do the same.

Some of the questions I would like each of you to answer, and some references to help you recall that time are listed below. Please don't limit yourself to answering just these questions. It is just as important to hear from you if you don't know PO3 DIES, never met him, never heard of him, don't know who his friends were, etcetera.

1. Did you know PO3 DIES? Please explain.

2. Please tell me everything you know about PO3 DIES, such as his hobbies, his personality, abilities, strengths, weakness, etcetera.

3. Please describe PO3 DIES, such as his physical description, scars, tattoos, physical infirmities (eyeglasses), etcetera.

4. Do you know who interacted / spent any time at all with PO3 DIES on and off the HORNE? Please explain.

5. What is the last time you observed or had any contact whatsoever with PO3 DIES? Please explain.

6. Do you know what happened, or suspect what might have happened to PO3 DIES? Please explain.

7. Do you know why PO3 DIES failed to report to his new Command?

8. Do you know how PO3 DIES planned on traveling to his new Command, if he planned to travel there, or anywhere else?

9. Did you, or anyone you know of travel east of California (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia or Florida) between Jun1991 and Nov1991, such as to PCS, on leave, or to report to a new Command or training?

10. Where did PO3 DIES stay while on the HORNE, and who was in that area?

11. Where did PO3 DIES stay, and with whom after returning to your home port / San Diego at the conclusion of the deployment?

12. Where did PO3 DIES visit, and with whom after returning to your home port / San Diego at the conclusion of the deployment?

13. Did you see PO3 DIES in the company of anyone after returning to your home port / San Diego at the conclusion of the deployment?

In an effort to help you recall PO3 DIES, the Gulf War deployment and your Shipmates during that timeframe, photos of PO3 DIES AND HIS CREWMATES, gleaned from the HORNE's Cruise Book dedicated to the noted deployment are attached; PO3 DIES was an Electronic Warfare Technician (EW). Also included are photos of the OPERATION SPECIALIST CREW and the SONAR TECHNICIAN / TORPEDOMAN'S MATE CREW, who I believe worked the closest with PO3 DIES' EW Crew; therefore, they will most likely be able to provide terrific insight regarding PO3 DIES. I apologize for the low quality of the photos. Below are lists of those assigned to the noted Crews. I apologize if I missed anyone.


11/03/17	NCIS has conducted several interviews after locating some of Jason Dies' shipmates. Thank you for your help. The investigation continues. If you are one of the EWs pictured below and you have not yet contacted or have not been contacted by NCIS, please contact NCIS Special Agent Thomas Keller at 850-452-4211 and/or thomas.keller@ncis.navy.mil, or NCIS Senior Operational Specialist Mark Smeester at 850-452-4177 and/or mark.smeester@ncis.navy.mil. If you know the whereabouts of any of the EWs pictured below or have contact information for them, please contact NCIS Special Agent Thomas Keller at 850-452-4211 and/or thomas.keller@ncis.navy.mil, or NCIS Senior Operational Specialist Mark Smeester at 850-452-4177 and/or mark.smeester@ncis.navy.mil." If you knew Jason or have any information about his disappearance, please contact NCIS Special Agent Thomas Keller at 850-452-4211 and/or thomas.keller@ncis.navy.mil, or NCIS Senior Operational Specialist Mark Smeester at 850-452-4177 and/or mark.smeester@ncis.navy.mil." It will be very much appreciated.

07/19/17	NCIS has opened a cold case investigation into the 1991 disappearance of our Horne Shipmate, EW3 Jason "Bill" Dies. NCIS is requesting any information relative to Jason's EW shipmates pictured below. If you were an EW during the 1991 Horne Desert Storm Deployment, please contact NCIS Special Agent Thomas Keller at 850-452-4211 and/or thomas.keller@ncis.navy.mil. If you have any information on the whereabouts of any of the EWs pictured, or if you knew any of these EWs before, during or after the Iraq-Pac Deployment, please call or email Special Agent Thomas Keller with that information. It will be very much appreciated. You may also contact me if you prefer and I can pass information along to Special Agent Keller. Thank you very much. CLICK TO ENLARGE

03/03/20 - If you are one of the EWs pictured here and you have not yet been in touch with NCIS regarding the disappearance of EW3 Jason William "Bill" Dies, please contact NCIS Senior Operational Specialist Mark Smeester at 850-452-4177 and/or mark.smeester@ncis.navy.mil. Thank you.