Hostage held in Iran dies
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) – A former Air Force colonel who was one of 52 Americans held hostage in Iran for 444 days has died in Arizona.
A family member said Friday Thomas E. Schaefer died of congestive heart failure Tuesday at a hospice in Scottsdale at age 85.
Schaefer was a military attache at the U.S. embassy in Tehran when militants seized the compound and its occupants in November 1979 and 66 people were taken hostage. He was among the last 52 hostages who were released in January 1981.
His family says he spoke to more than a quarter-million students and adults about his experience.
Schaefer is survived by his wife of 63 years, Anita; two sons, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery this fall.