MASSIE v. GOVT. OF DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S OF KOREA
Cite as 592 F.Supp.2d 57 (D.D.C. 2008)
border at Panmunjom and final repatriation at noon on December 23, 1968. See
Ex. 15 at 154, ¶ 481; Tr. 67, April 22, 2008.
76. At Panmunjom, the hostages
crossed the ‘‘Bridge of No Return’’ in single-file order with Cdr. Bucher verifying
each man’s identity as he crossed. He also
verified the body of the crew member who
was killed on the Pueblo during its capture
in January 1968. See Tr. 65, April 22,
2008. The hostages were threatened one
last time. They were told that if they said
or did anything as they crossed the bridge,
the remaining men waiting to cross would
be shot. See Tr. 113, April 21, 2008.
Lending credence to this threat, the men
were warned to maintain 15–yard gaps
between each other and walk at a constant
pace. The crew crossed the bridge in
order of rank, from lowest to highest, except for Cdr. Bucher who crossed first.
See Ex. 15 at 154, ¶ 482; Tr. 113; Tr. 68–
69, April 22, 2008.
77. After crossing the bridge, the men
were greeted by U.S. Military personnel.
See Tr. 70, April 22, 2008.
B.
Injuries Suffered by the Individual Plaintiffs
William Thomas Massie
1. Massie is a United States citizen and
a domiciliary of the State of Illinois. At
the time he was taken hostage on January
23, 1968, he was 20 years old and held the
rank of a Machinist Mate 3rd Class. See
Tr. 65–66, April 21, 2008.
2. During the eleven months he was
held hostage, Massie was beaten and tortured and subjected to constant mental
and psychological terror on a daily basis.
See Tr. 80–89, April 21, 2008.
3. As a result of being kicked in the
stomach, back, ankles, and knees, Massie
sustained severe and permanent physical
injuries, including herniated disks, pain in
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the legs, arms and back, ringing in the ear
and impotency. Massie continues to suffer
constant pain in his legs, arms and back.
As a result of being repeatedly kicked in
the groin, Massie was rendered impotent.
His impotency significantly contributed to
a failed marriage, multiple failed relationships, and is an ongoing source of humiliation. See Tr. 81–85, April 21, 2008.
4. Massie suffers from Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder (‘‘PTSD’’), disability, and
disfigurement as a result of the injuries he
suffered while being held hostage. Although he suffers from numerous disabilities stemming from his captivity, he has
been rated at one hundred percent disability for PTSD alone, with lesser percentages for other disabilities related to his
captivity that do not serve to increase his
disability rating. See Tr. 86, April 21,
2008; Pls.’ Trial Exs. 7–9 (‘‘Exs. 7–9’’).
5. Massie has suffered lost wages and
diminished earning potential. He has also
incurred substantial medical expenses on
account of his injuries. At present, he
takes a substantial number of prescribed
medications to ease the pain. See Tr. 93–
94, April 21, 2008; Pls.’ Trial Ex. 10 (‘‘Ex.
10’’). Massie consistently has nightmares,
cold sweats at night, cannot tolerate people
walking behind him, tight fitting clothes,
and loud noises. See Tr. 88, April 21,
2008.
6. Massie has spent decades seeking
treatment and care for his PTSD and
physical pains through Veterans Affairs
Hospitals. See Tr. 84–88, 121, April 21,
2008; Exs. 7–9.
7. Massie suffers from a short temper
that he did not have before his time in
captivity and admits to being a vengeful
man since his release. See Tr. 86–87, 119,
April 21, 2008.
8. During the eleven months of his captivity, Massie lost about 51 pounds of