GI in Reagan Near-Miss Is Back on Duty

The soldier whose rented plane narrowly missed President Reagan’s helicopter returned to active duty at Ft. Lewis on Wednesday, pending his commanding officer’s review of his absence without leave.

Pvt. Ralph Myers, a medical specialist, was released from military custody Wednesday morning to work with his unit, Maj. Frank Ham of Ft. Lewis said.

Myers, 32, of Bingen, Wash., arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in handcuffs Tuesday night on a commercial flight from Los Angeles. He was accompanied by two military police guards from Ft. Ord, Calif., who turned him over to Ft. Lewis guards.

He said nothing as he was escorted out of the terminal and refused to be interviewed Wednesday.

Myers was flying an Oregon businessman, Harlan Lee Jones, to a meeting with Donald Nixon Jr., nephew of former President Richard M. Nixon, on Aug. 13. Their small plane narrowly missed Reagan’s helicopter over the mountains north of Santa Barbara, near the President’s Rancho del Cielo.

A military helicopter followed the plane until it landed at John Wayne Airport in Orange County. Secret Service agents and police officers questioned the men and, the next day, the Federal Aviation Administration revoked Myers’ pilot’s license.

Authorities said that Myers had been reported AWOL on Aug. 3. His commanding officer will review the circumstances and evidence and decide sometime this week at what level the soldier’s AWOL case will be settled, Ham said.

Garry Jenkins, special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Los Angeles office, said agency officials would consult with the U.S. attorney’s office on any charges that might be pressed in connection with the flight.