Photo exhibits explore tragedy of Iran Air Flight 655

TEHRAN,July 7(MNA)-- Exhibitions displaying photos of the victims of the downing of Iran Air Flight 655 (IR655) by the U.S. Vincennes on July 3, 1988 are currently underway at airports in the Iranian cities of Bandar Abbas, Bushehr and Shiraz. The exhibits, which end today, have been organized by the Foundation for the Preservation and Publication of Sacred Defense Works and Values to commemorate the anniversary of the tragedy. On July 3, 1988, Iran Air Flight 655 (IR655) was shot down by U.S. Vincennes on the Bandar Abbas-Dubai route, which resulted in the loss of 290 lives of innocent civilians from six nations including 66 children. There were 38 non-Iranians aboard. The U.S. government to date has neither admitted any wrongdoing nor accepted responsibility for committing this tragic blunder, nor has it apologized. The men of the Vincennes were all awarded with medals, and Commander Lustig, the air-warfare coordinator, even won the navy’s Commendation Medal for “heroic achievement”.