Congress OKs Aid for Families of Soldiers Killed in Air Crash

WASHINGTON — The House gave final congressional approval Thursday to an aid package for dependents of the 248 soldiers killed Dec. 12 in a jetliner crash in Gander, Newfoundland.

By voice vote, the House accepted the Senate version of the legislation and sent it to President Reagan.

The soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division died when returning from peacekeeping duty in the Middle East.

Their dependents who are living on military bases would be allowed to remain rent-free for an additional 90 days from the date of the crash. Those living off base would continue receiving housing allowances for the same period.

Under present law, dependents lose their off-base allowances when a serviceman dies and may remain 60 days in on-base housing only if they pay rent.

The measure would also give dependents of the Gander victims $50,000 in death benefits instead of the $35,000 they were to receive.

At Ft. Campbell, Ky., meanwhile, the final contingent of U.S. soldiers finishing Middle East peacekeeping tours arrived on two Air Force jets Thursday, the joy of their homecoming muted by the deaths of their comrades.

The 234 members of the division stepped off the jets and were taken to the base gymnasium, where about 100 relatives waited to be reunited with them after the six-month tour.