Forces Rescue U.S. Hostage
Published: September 8, 2005
Coalition forces acting on a tip from an Iraqi detainee Wednesday rescued American hostage Roy Hallums from an isolated farm house south of Baghdad, a military statement said. An Iraqi also was rescued.
The 57-year-old contractor, formerly of Newport Beach, Calif., had been held since being kidnapped at gunpoint from his office in Baghdad’s Mansour district on Nov. 1.
“Hallums is in good condition and is receiving medical care,” the military said.
He was held in a farmhouse 15 miles south of Baghdad, the statement said, adding that rescuers were tipped to his whereabouts by an unidentified Iraqi detainee.
“I want to thank all of those who were involved in my rescue - to those who continuously tracked my captors and location, and to those who physically brought me freedom today,” Hallums said in the military statement.
“To all of you, I will be forever grateful. Both of us are in good health and look forward to returning to our respective families. Thank you to all who kept me and my family in their thoughts and prayers.”
The identity of the freed Iraqi man was not released.
Hallums’ ex-wife, Susan, told The Associated Press from her home in Corona, Calif., that Hallums was in good condition, “considering what he’s been through.”
She also told CNN she had talked to him. “It was just very, very early this morning and he called and said that he was free and I said, `That’s just - our prayers were answered,”’ she said.
A family Web site was topped with a headline: “Roy IS FREE!!!!!! 9/7/05.”
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