Downing of U.S. Army Helicopter on Korean Peninsula Statement by the White House Press Secretary.
We have confirmation that a Chinook cargo helicopter with a crew of three is down north of the demarcation line in the Korean Peninsula. There are indications it was forced down by North Korean fire.
We are deeply concerned about this incident, and we are requesting a prompt explanation from North Korean authorities. Any penetration of North Korean air space that may have taken place would have been unintentional and regrettable. We do not know at this time the fate of the crew. We have requested that every consideration be given to them by North Korean authorities, and we have asked for their immediate return.
Note: Press Secretary Jody Powell read the statement at his news conference at the White House at 12:17 a.m. on July 14. At a news conference at 1:30 a.m., Mr. Powell stated: "We now have North Korean domestic radio reports monitored in South Korea which indicate that there were four people on board, three of whom are reported to be dead and one captured."
The statement was made available by the White House Press Office. It was not issued in the form of a White House press release.
Jimmy Carter, Downing of U.S. Army Helicopter on Korean Peninsula Statement by the White House Press Secretary. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/243099