Some good news regarding missing U.S. Army PFC Byron W. Fouty was released by military officials just in time for the new year.
Two suspected extremists believed to be complicit in the May 12, 2007 ambush and kidnapping of three U.S. soldiers, including Fouty, were detained following Dec. 24-25 raids in Ramadi, Iraq.
‘Overall, it’s hopeful that they’re still on the trail, that these guys are still looking,? said Fouty’s stepfather, Gordy Dibler, Jr., of Oxford.
Fouty, a 19-year-old who’s part of the U.S. 10th Mountain Division, lived in Oxford from the age of 2? to 9. He attended Clear Lake Elementary from kindergarten through third grade and later went to school in the Lake Orion district.
Fouty, along with Spc. Alex R. Jimenez, 25, of Massachusetts, and PFC Joseph J. Anzack, Jr., 20, of California, were captured during a May 12 insurgent attack about 20 miles south of Baghdad.
Anzack’s body was found in the Euphrates River on May 23. Fouty and Jimenez are still missing.
The two suspected extremists captured by Iraqi police and U.S. special operations forces are linked to al-Qaeda in Iraq and allegedly involved in terrorist cells responsible for several roadside-bomb and mortar attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces, as well as the kidnapping and murder of Iraqi citizens and members of Iraqi security forces.
‘One of the suspected terrorists is believed to have facilitated the kidnapping and is reported to have used his home to aid in the hiding and transporting of the captured soldiers,? according to a news release from the American Forces Press Service.
Dibler viewed this information as encouraging news that Fouty could still be alive. ‘You’re not going to hide somebody that’s dead,? he said. ‘To me, that’s a good sign.?
During a previous operation, a weapon belonging to one of the missing U.S. soldiers was recovered at a residence of one of the suspects, military officials said.
For now, Dibler is doing what he can ‘to hold out hope.?
‘The not knowing ? that’s the toughest part,? he said. ‘Christmas was pretty tough. We didn’t do much decorating.?
Dibler learned about the capture of the two suspected terrorists from the media.
‘CNN actually called me (on Dec. 27) to let me know something came in off the wire,? he said. ‘I’ve got a rapport with a guy down there and we exchange information when we can.?
Sgt. First Class Douglas Cann, the casualty assistance officer from the Michigan Army National Guard assigned to Fouty’s family, is looking into things ‘from his end,? trying to obtain more information for Dibler about the detainees and what they know about his stepson’s fate.