I wonder if he was stationed at Vint Hill Farms Station. I was stationed there in the 1990's as an analyst. Can anyone provide any details??

He vanished long before the 1990's, dude. I'm not sure if he was ever at this place you mentioned but this should tell you more: http://unsolvedmysteries.wikia.com/wiki/Ray_Hickenbotham

This is one of my favorite "Lost Loves" cases just because it has a lot of intrigue built into it as well. The call from "Archangel" is really intense, as well as the mystery man who offers to take Ray's wife to the store after he vanishes only to never be heard from again.

I don't have anything to add to the case but I did want to mention that my late aunt lived very close to Vint Hill Farms Station, and as my uncle was retired military they used to go to the PX there. I even remember tagging along.

I don't have anything to add to the case but I did want to mention that my late aunt lived very close to Vint Hill Farms Station, and as my uncle was retired military they used to go to the PX there. I even remember tagging along.

I enjoyed my time there..it was quiet and peaceful. The funny thing is, there wasn't ahole lot of brass there so it was real relaxed. But I think when Ray was there it was booming. Perfect location because if it close approx. to DC.

Has anyone else ever filed another FOIA request or searched for data on Hickenbotham in Census records (1940 should list him) or City Directories? The Census material may at least give a birth year, date or place.

I did not want to re-create a new thread if there was one already. But this is the only thread I was able to find on this case.
It is so... strange. That the man just disappears one day. The government is not admitting to anything yet- and the phone call that she got after she put the article in the newpaper.
that it was a NATO country, with mountains, and clear water? Like ... that has to be a troll job right?
It was obvious the government was involved, I really thought there would be more info about this case

I really wish Meg would comment on this one.

Since his daughter died , I bet this has been swept under the rug.

Since his daughter died , I bet this has been swept under the rug.

I think Carol had children. I'm sure they'd want to learn their grandfather's fate.

I really wish Meg would comment on this one.

Word.

I don't feel very confident on co-signing any one theory explaining why/how Ray Hickenbotham disappeared, but I do agree with John Stockwell that it's not implausible that Hickenbotham was rolled up into a special project or another intelligence agency. If so, I don't feel the Army as an institution would've then decided to roll up Hickenbotham's home and send his family elsewhere. I think that was more likely done at Hickenbotham's own direction, with the parties involved with the logistics and administration of that move under the impression that nothing was particularly amiss. It was a very different era for military spouses (i.e., wives) in the mid-twentieth century. You generally weren't expected to ask a lot of questions, and complaining could be construed as being unsupportive at best and unpatriotic at worst.

I can't speak for the other branches nor for the U.S. Army of 1947, but generally the service members themselves are responsible for arranging packing and shipment of household goods from one duty station to the next, not the Army as an institution. The Army does of course issue orders mandating a soldier report to X unit at X duty station no later than X date, but that's about as far as it goes. You're responsible for arranging your moving and travel, with the understanding that the Army reimburses these service fees for you. This is why I say I find it unlikely the military, of its own accord, just swooped in, packed up and displaced Carol, her mother, and their home. Again, I don't know if it's anything like it is today, but as it stands I think Ray almost certainly had to have arranged that for his family.

I don't know what Hickenbotham's motivation would've likely been, but it could've ranged from a desire to shield his family from perceived or actual risk to simply not wanting them to cramp his style, for lack of a better term. I hope the latter isn't the case, but I can't imagine soldiers have changed too much over the past 70 years.

I do not believe the "Archangel" caller provided any credible information whatsoever and feel he's probably a crackpot who saw the newspaper article about Carol's search for her father.

after multiple moves/assignments over 15 years in the AF, I would add that what Meg said is spot on. In my opinion he made the choice to leave his family to take a different position/assignment, but perhaps for other personal reasons that we will never know.

Today when it comes to taking different positions or assignments. there are additional procedures and requirements that go into that. if someone felt they could not perform to the standards because of family/personal concerns/etc they are able to express those concerns. Perhaps this is something that has improved over the years and it has been mutually beneficial for the service and the people that serve.

There are often stereotypes when it comes to military. in my experience I have had a lot of control over my career and I don't think that this is a modern concept, for me this is a human aspect that is often overlooked with military service. we are organizations run by caring human beings who try to do right by our people. doesn't mean we always get it right(especially when we are led poorly or when we let systemic/flawed policies go unchecked), but still we try our best to do the right thing.

I would add that this experience may not be shared by all that served. for someone who served for a short window or left with a bad experience....they may say someone like me is full of S...

for me I've always tried to learn (And teach others) as much as possible to take advantage of the opportunities that exist. and I am quick to point out that there are cases on UM in which there are bad experiences. and the member is not even available to comment...and we have family members who are rightfully upset and left questioning what happened to their loved one because they need closure. For that reason I really enjoy the segments where people are reunited. for me it shows the camaraderie that exists between not just service members, but their families and friends that they meet along the way. I wish that Ray's daughter got that closure and she is a great person for trying to help others in her situation.

If he just "moved" wouldn't the police no that, by his SC reports, recent credit activity, etc.? Or are you saying when his unit got wrapped into the CIA they gave him a new identity?

Word.

I don't feel very confident on co-signing any one theory explaining why/how Ray Hickenbotham disappeared, but I do agree with John Stockwell that it's not implausible that Hickenbotham was rolled up into a special project or another intelligence agency. If so, I don't feel the Army as an institution would've then decided to roll up Hickenbotham's home and send his family elsewhere. I think that was more likely done at Hickenbotham's own direction, with the parties involved with the logistics and administration of that move under the impression that nothing was particularly amiss. It was a very different era for military spouses (i.e., wives) in the mid-twentieth century. You generally weren't expected to ask a lot of questions, and complaining could be construed as being unsupportive at best and unpatriotic at worst.

I can't speak for the other branches nor for the U.S. Army of 1947, but generally the service members themselves are responsible for arranging packing and shipment of household goods from one duty station to the next, not the Army as an institution. The Army does of course issue orders mandating a soldier report to X unit at X duty station no later than X date, but that's about as far as it goes. You're responsible for arranging your moving and travel, with the understanding that the Army reimburses these service fees for you. This is why I say I find it unlikely the military, of its own accord, just swooped in, packed up and displaced Carol, her mother, and their home. Again, I don't know if it's anything like it is today, but as it stands I think Ray almost certainly had to have arranged that for his family.

I don't know what Hickenbotham's motivation would've likely been, but it could've ranged from a desire to shield his family from perceived or actual risk to simply not wanting them to cramp his style, for lack of a better term. I hope the latter isn't the case, but I can't imagine soldiers have changed too much over the past 70 years.

I do not believe the "Archangel" caller provided any credible information whatsoever and feel he's probably a crackpot who saw the newspaper article about Carol's search for her father.

Sorry to bump an older post of yours, Meg, but I just watched this segment for the first time and immediately wondered what you would think. I too agree that the "Archangel" guy is just a random dumb dumb with nothing better to do. Unfortunate that his daughter likely took it to heart and investigated it so much.

So are you of the opinion that he likely moved on his own accord for whatever reason? I kind of figure that the reason he sent stuff back to his family that wasn't his is because he was alive and well and kept his stuff.

This (https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1990/01/23/show-sparks-many-calls-for-woman-seeking-missing-father/62577519007/) article says that UM received tips after the segment aired:

However, after Wednesday's television program, "Unsolved Mysteries" reported receiving two phone calls from men who claimed to be former CIA members. The men relayed much of the information Solstad received from the 1987 caller.

Another interesting twist to the case, Solstad said, is that "Unsolved Mysteries" told her that the FBI requested transcripts Friday of the phone calls taken on the Hickingbotham case. When officials for the TV show refused, FBI members said they would subpoena the transcripts.

I'm not ready to put on my tinfoil hat just yet, but it's very interesting that the FBI was interested in the phone calls received by UM. Logically, it was probably because they wanted to see if there was any evidence they could go on to find Hickenbotham and charge him with desertion. There was another case (not shown on UM) where an Air Force captain went missing in 1983 but he was found alive (https://www.sfgate.com/sfhistory/article/mysterious-disappearance-of-william-hughes-17351393.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight) and arrested in 2018. I think Ray Hickenbotham could have deserted the military to start a new life...largely because it was easier to disappear back then.

[URL="https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1990/01/23/show-sparks-many-calls-for-woman-seeking-missing-father/62577519007/"]\ it's very interesting that the FBI was interested in the phone calls received by UM. Logically, it was probably because they wanted to see if there was any evidence they could go on to find Hickenbotham and charge him with desertion.

I would venture that their reasons would be deeper than for charging someone with simple desertion. Would they really be that heavily concerned about such an old desertion case? I could see them caring more about prosecuting an ancient deserter if the evidence jumped into their laps, but to threaten subpoenas in this instance makes it seem like they had far more on their minds.

Does the FBI even care about AWOL cases? Wouldn't Army CID handle those cases?