1.   An attempt to rescue the American hostages ended in disaster when a helicopter crashed.

2.   An attempt to rescue the American hostages ended in disaster.

3.   One group claimed to have executed the American hostage.

4.   The taking of American hostages was seen as an act of war by the United States.

5.   A second American hostage is released in Lebanon.

6.   First, an American hostage, Frank Reed was freed in Beirut after more than three years in the hands of pro-Iranian kidnappers.

7.   His release came only eight days after another American hostage, Robert Polehill was set free.

8.   American hostages in Iran were still being held in the embassy there.

9.   American hostages had been held in Iran for a year.

10.   An American hostage was rotting in a Serbian jail, and the Serb ultimately responsible was being feted in America.