John W. DeCamp (July 6, 1941 – July 27, 2017) was an American Republican politician and author who served in the Nebraska legislature from 1971 to 1987. He served as an infantry officer in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. In 1975 he was central to organising Operation Babylift as a civilian,[3] which evacuated 2,800 orphaned Vietnamese children.[4] In 1992, DeCamp wrote a book titled The Franklin Cover-up: Child Abuse, Satanism, and Murder in Nebraska in which he alleged the supposed existence of the Franklin child prostitution ring.[5]
John DeCamp | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 40th district | |
| In office 1971–1987 | |
| Preceded by | William M. Wylie[1] |
| Succeeded by | Cap Dierks |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 6, 1941 Neligh, Nebraska United States |
| Died | July 27, 2017 (aged 76) |
| Political party | Republican Libertarian |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1965-1974 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit | |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | |
Early life and legislative career
editJohn DeCamp was born in Neligh, Nebraska, in 1941. He joined the United States Army during the Vietnam War, attained the rank of Captain in the infantry,[5] and was decorated for his service in Vietnam.[5] In 1975 he initiated Operation Baby Lift, which evacuated 2,800 orphaned Vietnamese children,[4] and was later assigned to serve as an aide to William Colby, then-Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam.
DeCamp began his election campaign for the Nebraska State Senate while still stationed in Vietnam, was elected and served four terms as a Nebraska state senator from 1971 to 1987, during which he was described as "a strong advocate for veterans".[5]
After the legislature
editIn 1992, DeCamp wrote a book titled The Franklin Cover-up: Child Abuse, Satanism, and Murder in Nebraska in which he alleged that the Franklin child prostitution ring allegations was not a hoax, as the grand juries dutied with investigating these allegations concluded, and alleged that the FBI and local Nebraska officials participated in a cover-up.[5] DeCamp was featured in an unaired 1993 documentary titled "Conspiracy of Silence" produced by Yorkshire Television for the Discovery Channel.[6] Producer Tim Tate said that the Discovery Channel withdrew their support for the film shortly before its broadcast date and was never aired on television.[6]
DeCamp served as a lawyer for the Militia of Montana, a militia-movement group, in the 1990s.[7]
In 1996, DeCamp ran for the U.S. Senate as a Libertarian, but lost to Republican Chuck Hagel.
In 2006, DeCamp attempted to return to the Nebraska legislature, running for a seat in the 30th District, which consisted of Gage County and southern Lancaster County. In the nonpartisan primary, he placed fourth of six candidates, with 12.3% of the vote; the top two vote-getters moved on to the general election, in which Norm Wallman was elected to the seat.[8][9][10]
In Nebraska State Senator Ernie Chambers's 2008 satirical lawsuit against God, DeCamp acted as the attorney for God.[11]
DeCamp died in Norfolk, Nebraska, on July 27, 2017.[12] He had suffered from Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.[5]
Publications
edit- The Franklin Cover-up: Child Abuse, Satanism, and Murder in Nebraska. Lincoln, Neb.: AWT (1992) ISBN 978-0963215802. OCLC 25719868.
References
edit- ^ "Nebraska Blue Book 1968–69", p. 258. Retrieved 2015-02-10.
- ^ a b "INFORMATION RELEASABLE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT". National Archives and Records Administration. 23 February 2023.
- ^ Becker, Elizabeth (26 April 1976). "Babylift--Trip to Limbo" (PDF). The Washington Post. p. 13.
Decamp, who had made two trips to Vietnam to help with the baby lift
- ^ a b "American Experience: Daughter From Danang: People & Events: Operation Babylift (1975)". PBS.
- ^ a b c d e f Young, JoAnne (1 August 2017). "Controversial former senator John DeCamp dies". Journal Star. Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
DeCamp wrote a book first published in 1992 about what he believed was a cover-up of the reasons behind the failure of the Omaha Franklin Federal Credit Union
- ^ a b Tannam-Elgie, Matthew (11 February 2019). "A case called "Franklin": Musings on the media". University Observer. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
- ^ "Groups see themselves as Constitution protectors". Luddington Daily News. 26 May 1995. p. 1.
- ^ Bauer, Scott. "DeCamp makes racial remark about Chambers." Lincoln Journal Star. April 4, 2006. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ "Member of the Legislature". Archived 2015-02-21 at the Wayback Machine Nebraska Secretary of State: primary election, 2006. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ "Member of the Legislature". Archived 2015-02-10 at the Wayback Machine Nebraska Secretary of State: general election, 2006. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ Jones, Ashby "Does an All-Knowing God Need Notice of a Lawsuit?" Wall Street Journal. February 11, 2009.
- ^ Cordes, Henry (31 July 2017). "John DeCamp remembered as one of Nebraska's most accomplished, controversial lawmakers". Omaha World Herald. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021.