It bothered Buddy Harris that people believe Scott Speicher was killed the night he was shot down in Iraq. That night, 20 years ago today, was the first day of Operation Desert Storm, the first Gulf War, and U.S. Navy Capt. Pilot Scott Speicher, a pilot, was 100 miles west of Baghdad flying an F/A-18 Hornet. Retired Navy Commander Harris, a close friend of Speicher's, said he was shot down at 3:32 am.

Harris, who was given top security clearances for years during the Speicher investigation, rarely does interviews. Today, though, he sat down with First Coast News anchor Jeannie Blaylock to make three main points.

First, he said, he and his wife, Joanne, are grateful for the community's support. (Harris married Speicher's widow, Joanne, 17 years ago.)

Second, he wants to give his account of a forensics report he said concludes Speicher was alive several weeks to years after his plane went down.

Third, he wants to explain that Speicher's legacy is important to him and his family, and the "misconception" that Speicher was killed that first night of the Gulf War "diminishes" that legacy.

A 200-page forensic report

Harris met for a week with a 10-member forensics panel comprised of experts, he said, including "the leading DNA specialists" from civilian and military fields. The secretary of the Navy released the 200-page report, which is mostly classified.

The report dates back to Nov. 12, 2009 but was basically "glossed over" by the media, said Harris. Harris said Speicher was shot down 50 miles from a chemical weapons plant in Iraq. The forensic panel had more DNA tests run on Speicher's flight suit, which was found mostly intact in 1995. Again the DNA tests showed "no blood," Harris said, indicating the pilot did survive the crash.

It also shows new DNA testing on dental remains indicate Speicher could not have been killed Jan. 17, 1991, when he was shot down. The report does not pinpoint an exact day of death but uses the words, "homicide by undetermined means." Harris called the wording "interesting."

More remains were found than the media has reported, including a skull, which has been almost fully reconstructed, Harris said. The forensic report also says "seven vertebrae" and "four rib fragments" were found.

The time Speicher actually died is important, Harris said, because many have criticized the military for not searching for Speicher effectively or at all. He said he believes, in fact, Speicher was alive.

Speicher's case has motivated necessary changes in military policy, he said.

During the Vietnam era, families often had to show concrete evidence, such as video, that a loved one was still alive before the military would search, he said. And even then, Harris said, too many times after 12 months the case would end up in a "black hole."

Now, after Speicher's case, Harris said families can be more assured the U.S. military will go find a loved one missing in action. "The unfortunate aspect is there had to be a Scott Speicher for there never ever to be another Scott Speicher, and 18 years, 6 months, and 11 days is, I hope, to be a record to never be broken for someone missing in action," Harris said. He knows the U.S. government made mistakes, he said, but he's glad to see a path of correction.

If he was alive, where was he?

Knowing Speicher may have been alive for years is harder on the family, said Harris. At first, it was told Speicher was killed instantly and probably didn't even know what happened to him.

If Speicher did survive for weeks or months or years, though, where was he? Harris said more credible sources from Iraq are coming forward now, and the "nut cases" - people who just wanted a free ride to America with fake information - have faded away.

Now, Harris said, they're hearing that people saw Speicher, possibly in a series of underground houses or jails Saddam Hussein had underground in Tikrit.

Harris said he has learned Hussein thrived on a feeling of "power" from having things no one else had, from people to antiques. He also believes Speicher might have been considered a pawn or a spy.

As for mysterious sightings of the initials "MSS" in Iraq? Harris said the "MSS" was found on a prison wall and also on a beam at a former Iraqi Air Force training facility.

The letters might indicate "Michael Scott Speicher," but there is still no proof of authenticity. However, Harris said he's never spoken in public about this, but he did find the initials "MSS" written once on Speicher's military paperwork before he went to Iraq. Speicher made a note that it should be saved because it might be important someday.

Harris and his wife realize many families go through trauma and sadness and are not asking for pity. He wants the focus to be on Scott Speicher and his legacy as the 20th anniversary is marked.

He also hopes Speicher's case will help other families either find a missing military member or at least find closure when remains are recovered.

In fact, he said, he's been told that's already happening, and that makes the past years of hard work worth it.