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In Memoriam
Eugene Hasenfus, who as a 45-year-old former Marine and laid-off construction worker was thrust into the national spotlight in 1986 when, on a covert mission sponsored by the C.I.A., his gunrunning cargo plane was shot down over Nicaragua, setting off what would become known as the Iran-contra affair, died on Wednesday at his home in Menominee, Mich. He was 84.
Eli Zeira, the Israeli major general and military intelligence chief who was forced out of his job after dismissing warnings that Syria and Egypt were on the verge of the attacks in 1973 that started the Yom Kippur War, died on Friday. He was 97.
Ken Minihan headed west on his final mission Saturday evening, rejoining his parents, Chuck and Shirley. He fought heroically till the end, surrounded by his wife, children, and one granddaughter, and when the timing was perfect, he let go like the gentleman he was, with grace and dignity.
Julian Leroy Fletcher, affectionately known to all as “Fletch,” passed away peacefully in Fredericksburg, Virginia, at the age of 93. Born in Marshall, Virginia, he was the beloved son of Margaret Reid Fletcher and Julian Raymond Fletcher.
Mitchell P. Lawrence, Jr., a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) executive and later independent contract investigator, died on 2 November 2025 at age 97 in Leesburg, VA. His career spanned over 60 years in the fields of security, counterintelligence, and investigations.
George Samuel Swicker, age 85, of Leesburg, Virginia, passed away peacefully at his home on November 1, 2025, with his devoted wife, Eileen, by his side.
William “Bill" P. Carr, Jr. passed on the 1st Day of the Jewish Passover 2025 and the 1st Day of Christian Holy Week, Palm Sunday 2025.
Donald C. Padgett, age 83, of Ashburn, VA, passed away on October 21, 2025, after receiving comfort from the Adler Center for Caring.
Joe passed on 17 October at the age of 91. Among his many awards and honors, he received a 1971 National Magazine Award, the equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize for magazine writers, several reporting awards from the Pennsylvania Press Association, and the 1991 Philip M. Stern Award presented by Washington Independent Writers.