M. Forsythe - While Rome Was Sleeping

At the party Olivia’s father proudly introduced Brad to Karel Schneiderman, GCI’s CEO, telling Schneiderman that his son-in-law would soon be General Bradley Coleman assigned to the Pentagon.

Schneiderman and Coleman spent a major portion of the evening discussing Vietnam and Brad’s time there. The GCI executive was impressed with Brad and before the evening ended gave Brad his card saying, “We’re always looking for outstanding people to join us. What are your plans for the future…?”

Brad was flattered by Schneiderman’s interest and was careful in his response offering pleasantly, “At the moment my military career is on track with my plans, but thank you for your interest. If there is any way that I can be of help to you from my office in the Pentagon, please call me. You can always reach me through my father-in-law, Clyde Laird.”

As they shook hands Schneiderman studied Brad a moment before saying, “It may well be that you can be of help to our company as a military contact, perhaps even a consultant. Goodnight General.”

1973 found Bradley Coleman settled in the Department of Defense with the Defense Intelligence Agency. Now thirteen years old, the DIA had established its presence and Brad was moving up in the organization.

The Vietnam War was ending and the POW/MIA issue was the major consideration in the minds of the many government officials and law makers as it applied to the Peace Negotiations.

Rumors of a secret letter from the administration to North Vietnam offering financial aid for post war rebuilding in exchange for a full accounting of American POW’s and Mia’s was circulating; at the same time word reached the Senate of the inhumane treatment and the abuse and torture of American prisoners.

Wrangling on the hill dragged on, but there would be no agreement on reparations.

When the prisoner exchange finally occurred and not all of the POW’s and MIAs were accounted for, an immediate shock wave was felt throughout the community of families of those who were listed as missing. Only 586 prisoners were returned.

Coleman hadn’t thought about George Kelshaw since leaving Saigon in 1970 until he saw his name on a list of MIAs that were identified as being captured by the Pathet Lao as late as 1974 and held in Laos; Kelshaw was among those not repatriated and unaccounted for. He estimated that Kelshaw had no doubt been identified as CIA and had probably been killed after capture.

The DIA listed over 350 US personnel as missing or captured in Laos alone. As the inquiries of the fate of the unreturned MIAs increased and reports from some of those who were repatriated of prisoners left behind, a meeting of Department of Defense, State Department and CIA personnel was called along with congressmen in attendance whose constituents were pressing them for answers.

Brad’s office had been tasked with the follow-up and investigation of reports of live sightings of Americans who might still be held in enemy prison camps.

As the reports came in to the Defense Intelligence Agency’s office, DIA staff members were required to check out the source of the information and then contact on site in-country sources for further verification; often the investigations led to a dead end.

As months dragged by families waited for answers. The newspapers continued to carry story after story of families seeking information on their missing and unaccounted for loved ones who were listed as MIA’s. Some were beginning to believe that the government was concealing information when their questions went unanswered.

In an effort to assuage pressure from the media as well as families, General Coleman was directed to appear on a television news interview and explain the government’s position and the role of the Defense Intelligence Agency in seeking to identify and verify reports of POW’s that were still being held. He explained the difficulties of the agency staff in attempting to trace all the leads.

He was quick to assure the families that the government agency would do everything possible to check each reported sighting and press the governments of Laos and North Vietnam for answers.

GCI’s Karel Schneiderman on a US business trip to Washington turned on the television in his room at the Washington Hilton; he recognized Bradley Coleman and watched the interview with interest.

The following day he placed a call to Brad’s office in the Pentagon to make an appointment.

When they met over lunch Brad was surprised and pleased as Schneiderman greeted him, “General Bradley Coleman,” he said admiringly, “It is General Coleman, now I see. You do remember that I suggested that it was likely that you could be of service to our organization from your military position. Now General, I am inviting you to become a member of our international team as one of our consultants. I feel you would be invaluable.”

Brad was flattered and elated, but didn’t want to appear too eager. He was being sought after as a consultant to one of the world’s largest companies. He smiled savoring the moment as he slowly nodded his head saying, “This is a surprise and I don’t quite know what to say, Karel; let me have a day or two to consider your offer. I’d like to talk it over with Mrs. Coleman, my wife Olivia,” he qualified.

“Of course, General, this is Wednesday and I’ll be in Washington until Saturday…”

“I’ll have an answer for you before then. What type of consultation do you feel I can provide?” Brad inquired.

It was Schneiderman’s turn to sit back and smile, “I believe you can be very helpful in helping us with some of our projects. You are in a position to know of your government’s investment interests and of the various departments in your government that have knowledge and pockets of funds that could be tapped to participate in some of GCI’s humanitarian efforts. And of course there is your knowledge of the military community and programs as well.”

“Is Clyde Laird involved in any way with GCI?” Brad queried. “If so, GCI projects could be compromised by using me, his son-in-law, as a consultant. It could be awkward for all of us.”

“The answer to your question, General, is no. I am very gratified that you are aware of the need for care and discretion. This will serve us all well as we proceed.”

Schneiderman was pleased. He continued, “Our corporate business interests are largely handled by a large American West Coast law firm of Ramsey, Wilson and Carr from their offices here in Washington. They are headquartered in Seattle where the firm’s principal, Lyle Ramsey, makes his home as well as does Harrison Carr. Our Far East contracts are handled in Ramsey, Carr’s Tokyo offices. The firm and its people are very efficient and very discreet.

“I will put you in touch with the Seattle office and Lyle Ramsey; I want you to meet him; he handles all our US contracts for us.”

Brad was listening intently and nodded understanding as Schneiderman continued adding, “Although I haven’t mentioned it, Bradley, I’m sure you understand that you will be well compensated as he wrote a figure on a slip of paper and slid it across the table to Brad.”

Coleman laid his napkin carefully beside his plate, picked up and read the paper and looking at Schneiderman said quietly, “This is more than generous… I don’t believe I’ll need two days to consider your offer, Karel, I believe that you and I have struck a deal.”

Before extending his hand Schneiderman smiled, “Please know and understand this, General, at GCI we do what is needed regardless of the political climates. As a result GCI is not always looked on with favor by some world governments, but we are very well insulated. I do want you to know that much of your affiliation with us must be sub-rosa. By that I mean that while you will be openly recognized as one of our world wide military consultants; the public description of your work with us will be sanitized. There will be situations when your work with us may necessitate complete secrecy. Can you agree to that, General?”