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Samuel Byck

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Samuel Byck
Born
Samuel Joseph Byck

(1930-01-30)January 30, 1930
Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,U.S.
DiedFebruary 22, 1974(1974-02-22)(aged 44)
Anne Arundel County, Maryland,U.S.
Cause of deathSuicide by gunshot
Known forAttempting to assassinate
PresidentRichard Nixon

Samuel Joseph Byck(January 30, 1930 – February 22, 1974) was an American hijacker and attempted assassin. On February 22, 1974, he attempted tohijack a planeflying out ofBaltimore/Washington International Airport,intending tocrashinto theWhite Housein the hopes of killingPresidentRichard Nixon.[1]During the incident, Byck killed a policeman and a pilot, but was shot and wounded by another policeman before committing suicide.[2][3][4]

Early life

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Born to poor Jewish parents inSouth Philadelphia,Byckdropped outofhigh schoolin the ninth grade in order to support his impoverished family. He enlisted in theU.S. Armyin 1954 and washonorably dischargedin 1956. He married shortly thereafter, and fathered four children.[5]

Background

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In 1972, Byck began to suffer from severe bouts ofdepressionafter his wife divorced him and he had several job-related financial failures.[6][7]He admitted himself to a psychiatric ward, for a two-month stay.[2]Byck began to harbor the belief that the Nixon administration was conspiring to oppress the poor.[5]

Byck came to the notice of theSecret Servicein 1972, when he threatened Nixon,[5]whom he had resented since theSmall Business Administrationhad turned down his loan application.[1]Byck had also sent tape recordings to various other Jewish public figures (including scientistJonas Salk,SenatorAbraham RibicoffofConnecticut,and composerLeonard Bernstein)[8][9]and had tried to join theBlack Panthers.The Secret Service considered Byck to be harmless, and no action was taken at that time.

Assassination attempt

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Delta Airlines Flight 523
A midsized white twin-engine passenger jet in the air with landing gear deployed
A Delta Air Lines McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30, similar to the one involved.
Accident
DateFebruary 22, 1974(1974-02-22)
SummaryAttempted hijacking
SiteBaltimore–Washington International Airport,Maryland,U.S.
Aircraft
Aircraft typeMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-31
OperatorDelta Air Lines
IATA flight No.DL523
ICAO flight No.DAL523
Call signDELTA 523
Flight originBaltimore–Washington International Airport
DestinationHartsfield-Jackson International Airport,Atlanta,U.S.
Occupants14
Fatalities3

In early 1974, Byck made his decision to assassinate Nixon and started to stalk him and follow his movements via news outlets.[10]He planned to assassinate Nixon by hijacking an airliner and crashing it into the White House on a day when Nixon would be there. It has been suggested (for instance, by the2004 film dramatizationof his life) that Byck was inspired by news reports of the buzzing of the White House byU.S. ArmysoldierRobert K. Prestonin a stolenUH-1B Hueyhelicopter on February 17.[11]

Because he was already known to the Secret Service and his legal attempts to purchase afirearmmight have resulted in increased scrutiny, Byck stole aSmith & Wesson Model 17.22-caliberrevolverfrom his friend to use in the hijacking.[1]Byck also made a bomb out of twogalloncontainers ofgasolineand an igniter.[12]All through this process, Byck made audio recordings explaining his motives and his plans; he expected to be considered a hero for his actions and wanted to fully document his reasons for the assassination.[13]

On Friday morning, February 22, 1974, Byck drove to theBaltimore/Washington International Airport.Shortly after 7:00 a.m.EST,he shot and killedMaryland Aviation Administrationpoliceman George Neal Ramsburg[14]before storming aDC-9,Delta Air LinesFlight 523 toAtlanta,which he chose because it was the closest flight that was ready to take off.[1][2]Pilots Reese Loftin and Fred Jones immediately complied with Byck's orders and calmly tried to reassure him that they would cooperate, then Loftin told Byck they could not take off with the doors to the aircraft open and then alerted the control tower and summoned police assistance while Byck left to close them.[15]After the pilots told him they could not take off until wheel blocks were removed, he shot them both and grabbed a nearby passenger, ordering her to "fly the plane".[16][17][18]Jones died as he was being removed from the aircraft after the event was concluded; Loftin survived the attack.[3][16][17]Byck told a flight attendant to close the door, or he would blow up the plane.[2]AnAnne Arundel County Police Departmentofficer attempted to shoot the tires of the aircraft to prevent its takeoff, but the bullets fired from their police-issued revolvers failed to penetrate the aircraft's tires and ricocheted, some hitting the wing of the plane.[2]

After a standoff between Byck and police on thejetway,Anne Arundel County police officer Charles Troyer fired four shots through the aircraft door at Byck with a.357 Magnumrevolver taken from the deceased Ramsburg.[19]Two of the shots penetrated the thick window of the aircraft door and wounded Byck; before the police could gain entry to the plane, Byck committedsuicideby shooting himself in the head.[2][3]

According to a special on theHistory Channel,he lived for a few minutes, dying after saying "help me" to one of the policemen who entered the plane after he had been shot.[1]A briefcase containing the gasoline bomb was found under his body.[9]The plane never left the gate, and Nixon's schedule was not affected by the assassination attempt, although he was in the White House at the time.[2]

It was subsequently discovered that Byck had sent a tape recording detailing his plan, which he called "OperationPandora's Box",[9][20]to news columnistJack Anderson.[21][9][22]A review of records disclosed that Byck had been arrested twice for protesting in front of the White House without a permit and that he later dressed in aSanta Claussuit for another protest.[2][8]Loftin, the flight's captain, recovered and resumed flying airliners several years later.[15]

In 1987, theFederal Aviation Administrationproduced a document entitledTroubled Passage: The Federal Aviation Administration During the Nixon–Ford Term 1973–1977,which mentioned Byck's failed hijacking: "though Byck lacked the skill and self-control to reach his target, he had provided a chilling reminder of the potential of violence against civil aviation. Under a more relaxed security system, his suicidal rampage might have begun when the airliner was aloft."[20]

Legacy

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Byck was buried at the Mount Jacob Cemetery inGlenolden, Pennsylvania.[23]

After Byck's failed assassination attempt and subsequent death, he faded into relative obscurity[24]except among members of security organizations;[25]however, one of the long-term consequences of Byck's failed kidnapping was that it helped spur, along with several other failed and successful hijackings,[26]the implementation of new security measures for airlines and airports.[27]

The9/11 Commission Reportmentioned Byck's attempted assassination of Nixon on page 561 in note 21:[28]

As part of his 34-page analysis, the attorney explained why he thought that a fueled Boeing 747, used as a weapon, "must be considered capable of destroying virtually any building located anywhere in the world." DOJ memo, Robert D. to Cathleen C., "Aerial Intercepts and Shoot-downs: Ambiguities of Law and Practical Considerations", Mar. 30, 2000, p. 10. "Also, in February 1974, a man named Samuel Byck attempted to commandeer a plane at Baltimore Washington International Airport with the intention of forcing the pilots to fly into Washington and crash into the White House to kill the President. The man was shot by police and then killed himself on the aircraft while it was still on the ground at the airport."

[edit]

Byck is one of the (failed) assassins portrayed inStephen Sondheim's andJohn Weidman's 1991 musicalAssassins.[29]His role in the musical is built largely around his tapes sent toLeonard Bernsteinand other famous public figures, which he is depicted recording during two scene-length monologues, the first addressed to Bernstein and the second to Nixon himself. Byck also wears aSanta Claussuit throughout the play in reference to an incident where he did so while protesting Nixon on Christmas Eve in 1973.[30][31][32]

A film based on his story,The Assassination of Richard Nixon,was released in 2004.[33]The film starredSean Pennas Bicke (the surname spelling having been changed).[34]

TheHistory Channelalso ran a special on Byck entitledThe Plot to Kill Nixon.[35]

References

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  1. ^abcdeClarke, James W. (January 1, 1981). Bodea, Cristina; Bou-Habib, Paul; Bowler, Shaun; Leemann, Lucas; Lindstädt, René; Schleiter, Petra (eds.)."American Assassins: An Alternative Typology".British Journal of Political Science.11(1).Cambridge,United Kingdom of Great Britain:Cambridge University Press:81–104.doi:10.1017/S0007123400002465.ISSN0007-1234.JSTOR00071234.LCCN70022767.OCLC863011750.PMID11620349.S2CID41008730.
  2. ^abcdefghHunter, Al (April 10, 2014). Winslow, Ethel; Dixon-Miller, Jeanne; Crawford, Judy (eds.)."The Plots to Kill Richard Nixon from the Sky, Part 2".The Weekly View.Indianapolis,Indiana:Eastside Voice Community News Media, Inc.RetrievedJanuary 4,2015.
  3. ^abcGoeller, David (February 22, 1974). Rowe, Charles S.; Howe III, Josia P. (eds.)."3 die in aborted hijack".Free Lance-Star.Vol. 90, no. 45. Fredericksburg, Virginia:BH Media.Associated Press.p. 1 – viaGoogle Newspapers.
  4. ^Bates, J. Douglas; Jacques, Thomas F.; Gemmell, Allan A.; Johnson, R.G.; Lane, Richard W.; Johnston Jr., W.B.; Doughier, James; Low, Don, eds. (February 22, 1974)."Three killed in airport gun battle".Eugene Register-Guard.Vol. 107, no. 122. Eugene, Oregon: Guard Publishing Co.United Press International.p. 1A – viaGoogle Newspapers.
  5. ^abcPatterson, Hyrum Wright (January 1, 2012)."Chapter I: Historical Inquiry"(PDF).In Cherry, Emily; McLennan, Kathleen; Angelone, Ali; Swisher, Wayne (eds.).Playing Sam Byck: Analysis Of Text And Performance In Sondheim's Assassins.Graduate School of the University of North Dakota/University of North Dakota Theatre Department (Master of Arts). Theses and Dissertations. Vol. 1266.Grand Forks,North Dakota:University of North Dakota.pp. 1–27.
  6. ^Pettey, Homer B. (2020)."1. Introduction: A Very Brief History of Psychopathology in Cinema".In Pettey, Homer B. (ed.).Mind Reeling: Psychopathology on Film.SUNY series, Horizons of Cinema.Albany,New York,United States of America:SUNY Press.p. 32.ISBN978-1-4384-8101-2.LCCN2020018466– viaGoogle Books.
  7. ^Barber, James (February 28, 2019). Fryer-Biggs, Zachary; Bushatz, Amy; Hubbard, Rachael; Ruiz, Stephen; Blansett, Sarah (eds.)."Military Members Who Turned Extremist".Military.com.Weston,Massachusetts,United States of America: Military Advantage, Inc. (Monster Worldwide). Archived fromthe originalon February 28, 2019.RetrievedAugust 22,2021.
  8. ^abDuersten, Matthew C. (September 12, 2001). Rainey, Darrick (ed.)."The Man in the Santa Claus Suit".LA Weekly.Los Angeles, California:Voice Media Group(Semanal Media LLC).ISSN0192-1940.RetrievedMay 7,2016.
  9. ^abcdAyton, Mel (April 14, 2014)."Chapter Seven: Passkey".Hunting the President: Threats, Plots, and Assassination Attempts—From FDR to Obama(1st ed.).Washington, D.C.:Regnery History (Regnery Publishing). pp. 105–106.ISBN978-1-62157-234-3.
  10. ^Phillips, Robert T.M. (June 12, 2008)."16. Preventing Assassination: Psychiatric Consultation to the United States Secret Service".In Meloy, J. Reid; Sheridan, Lorraine; Hoffman, Jens (eds.).Stalking, Threatening, and Attacking Public Figures: A Psychological and Behavioral Analysis(1st ed.).New York City,New York:Oxford University Press.ISBN978-0-19-532638-3.RetrievedAugust 22,2021– viaGoogle Books.
  11. ^Rowe, Charles S.; Howe III, Josia P., eds. (February 18, 1974)."'Washout' is held in White House scare ".Free Lance-Star.Vol. 90, no. 41. Fredericksburg, Virginia:BH Media.Associated Press.p. 1.RetrievedAugust 22,2021– viaGoogle Newspapers.
  12. ^Kryzhanovskiĭ, Mikhail (2007)."Chapter 11: Strategies".In Secara, Claudiu (ed.).White House Special Handbook: How to Rule the World in the 21st Century.New York City,New York:Algora Publishing. p. 128.ISBN978-0-87586-516-4.RetrievedAugust 22,2021– viaGoogle Books.
  13. ^Sam Byck Audio Tapesat YouTube
  14. ^Cosgriff, Chris; Schutz, Mike; Weiss, Steven; Humphrey, W. Scott; Thacker, Katherine (eds.)."Officer George Neal Ramsburg".The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP).The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. Archived fromthe originalon January 7, 2008.RetrievedAugust 22,2021.
  15. ^abBaum, Philip (March 10, 2016)."Chapter V: 1971–1975".InFerris, Stewart;Williams, Alastair (eds.).Violence in the Skies: A History of Aircraft Hijacking and Bombing.Chichester,West Sussex,United Kingdom of Great Britain:Summersdale PublishersLtd. p. 89.ISBN978-1-78372-790-2.RetrievedAugust 22,2021– viaGoogle Books.
  16. ^abWitkin, Richard (February 23, 1974).Sulzberger, A.G.;Baquet, Dean;Louttit, Meg (eds.)."Hijacker kills 2 and then himself".Sunday edition.The New York Times.Vol. CXXV, no. 15.New York City,New York.p. 1.ISSN0362-4331.OCLC1645522.
  17. ^abWarder, Robin (March 26, 2014). Frater, Jamie (ed.)."10 People Who Committed Murder On Airplanes".Listverse.Listverse Ltd. Archived fromthe originalon March 26, 2014.RetrievedAugust 22,2021.
  18. ^Slenske, Michael (September 1, 2005).Murphy, Cullen(ed.)."Assassination Attempts".The Atlantic.138(8).Washington, D.C.:The Atlantic Monthly Group (Emerson Collective): 40–41.ISSN1072-7825.Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2012.
  19. ^Linskey, Annie (November 13, 2005). Alatzas, Triffon G.; Davis, Sam (eds.)."Policeman remembers his defining moment".The Baltimore Sun.Baltimore,Maryland:Baltimore Sun Media GroupTribune Publishing.ISSN1930-8965.OCLC244481759.Archived fromthe originalon June 21, 2021.RetrievedAugust 22,2021.
  20. ^abCohn, Douglas; Anderson, Jack (July 28, 2004). Kramer, Ruth; Kramer Jr., Donovan; Cooper, Kara K. (eds.)."Sept. 11 Commission missed the boat".Casa Grande Dispatch.Casa Grande,Arizona:Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc.OCLC16877473.RetrievedJanuary 4,2015.
  21. ^Anderson, Jack(February 28, 1974). Roberts, Morris; Roberts, John H.; Alkek Jr., John H.; Rech, James W.; Reedy, Vince; File, Tom E.; Hall, S.G.; Tipton, Raymond (eds.)."White House crash planned by gunman, according to tape".Victoria Advocate.Vol. 128, no. 296.Victoria,Texas:Victoria Advocate Publishing Company. United Features Syndicate. p. 4A – viaGoogle Newspapers.
  22. ^Piszkiewicz, Dennis (2003)."Chapter 1: Skyjackers".In Smith, Wayne (ed.).Terrorism's War with America: A History(1st ed.).Westport,Connecticut:Greenwood Press (Greenwood Publishing Group).ISBN978-0-275-97952-2– viaGoogle Books.
  23. ^"Samuel Byck".Kurt's Historic Site.RetrievedApril 25,2024.
  24. ^Sotomayor, Eva (September 13, 2012). St. Onge, Natallie; Wells, Ben; Chun, Skyler; Ives, Charlotte; Stebnitz, Mason (eds.)."Rep's 'Assassins' slays Milwaukee audiences".Marquette Wire.Milwaukee,Wisconsin:Marquette University Student Media (Marquette University). Archived fromthe originalon September 6, 2015.RetrievedAugust 22,2021.
  25. ^Freedman, Lawrence Zelic (March 21, 1994).Ewing, Charles Patrick;Felthous, Alan R.; Slobogin, Christopher (eds.)."Social impact of attack on a president: Its public reverberations".Behavioral Sciences & the Law.2(2).Hoboken,New Jersey:John Wiley & Sons Ltd:195–206.doi:10.1002/bsl.2370020208.ISSN1099-0798.LCCN83647858.OCLC662526275.
  26. ^Civil Aviation Security Service (1974)."Attempted Hijacking of Delta Airlines Aircraft at Baltimore, MD."(PDF).Worldwide Criminal Acts Involving Civil Aviation – 1974.Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) (Report).Washington, D.C.:United States Department of Transportation.p. 3 – via Office of Justice Programs (United States Department of Justice).
  27. ^Agard, Shon J. Murphy (May 1, 2012)."Chapter 1: Background"(PDF).In Dunlap, Scotty; Collier, Michael (eds.).Civilian aviation screening: A time-series analysis of confiscated firearms at screening checkpoints.Faculty of the Graduate School of Eastern Kentucky University (Master of Science). Dissertations & Theses.Richmond,Kentucky:Eastern Kentucky University.pp. 1–3 – via ProQuest.
  28. ^Kean, Thomas H.;Hamilton, Lee H.;Ben-Veniste, Richard; Fielding, Fred F.; Gorelick, Jamie S.; Gorton, Slade; Kerrey, Bob; Lehman, John F.; Roemer, Timothy J.; Thompson, James R.; Zelikow, Philip D.; Kojm, Chris; Marcus, Daniel. "Notes".Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission Report).National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission)(Report).Washington, D.C.:Government Printing Office. pp. 449–567.
  29. ^Brigatti, Larissa (May 22, 2018). Connolly, Ciara; Gibbons, Robert; Payne, Alice; Mahon, Gráinne (eds.)."'Assassins' slays at the gate: "Shoot a prez, win a prize!"".TN2 Magazine.Dublin,Ireland:Trinity College.Archived fromthe originalon May 28, 2018.RetrievedAugust 22,2021.
  30. ^Robinson, Mark A. (April 17, 2014)."Assassins (1990) (Off-Broadway)".In Boehm, Ron (ed.).The World of Musicals: An Encyclopedia of Stage, Screen, and Song (Volume 1: A-L).Vol. 1 (2nd ed.).Santa Barbara,California:Greenwood Press(ABC-CLIO). p. 46.ISBN978-1-4408-0097-9.RetrievedAugust 22,2021– viaGoogle Books.
  31. ^Miller, Scott (April 23, 2014) [1997]."12. Assassins and the Concept Musical".In Gordon, Joanne (ed.).Stephen Sondheim: A Casebook.Casebooks on Modern Dramatists (2nd ed.).New York City,New York,United States of America:Routledge(Taylor & Francis). pp. 187–204.ISBN978-1-135-70210-6– viaGoogle Books.
  32. ^"Hijacker Had Picketed White House".The New York Times.RetrievedFebruary 23,2024.
  33. ^https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364961/The Assassination of Richard Nixon.Internet Movie Database (2004).[user-generated source]
  34. ^Dargis, Manohla (December 29, 2004).Sulzberger, A.G.;Baquet, Dean;Louttit, Meg (eds.)."FILM REVIEW: Hey, You Talkin' to Me?".Arts section.The New York Times.Vol. CLII, no. 260.New York City,New York.p. E5.ISSN0362-4331.OCLC1645522.RetrievedAugust 22,2021.
  35. ^https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0393599/"The Plot to Kill Nixon". Internet Movie Database (2005).[user-generated source]
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