Eugene Hasenfus

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Eugene H. Hasenfus (born January 22, 1941 in Florida) is a United States citizen who was an unemployed construction worker from Marinette, Wisconsin who secured work as a cargo handler for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Iran-Contra Affair

He was aboard the Fairchild C-123 cargo plane shot down over Nicaragua on October 5, 1986, while delivering supplies to the Nicaraguan Contras. The two pilots died in the crash, however Hasenfus was able to parachute to safety, having disobeyed orders by wearing a parachute on the mission. He was captured by Nicaraguan government forces, tried, and sentenced to 25 years in prison. In December 1986, at the request of U.S. Senator Chris Dodd, he was pardoned and released by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.

Hasenfus' capture and detention helped uncover and publicize the Iran-Contra Affair. A black book of phone numbers in the wreckage tied the plane to an operation run out of Ilopango airbase in El Salvador, supported by anti-Castro exile Felix Rodriguez. Press speculation focused on former general Jack Singlaub as the sponsor; this was encouraged by Oliver North to divert attention from the true head: Richard Secord.