AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: The number missing (POW/MIA) and otherwise unaccounted-for (KIA/BNR) from the Vietnam War is still 1,587. Of that number 90% were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Cambodia or Laos under Vietnam’s wartime control: Vietnam-1,246 (VN-443, VS-803); Laos-286; Cambodia-48; PRC territorial waters-7. Since chartered in 1970, the League has sought the return of all POWs, the fullest possible accounting for the missing, and repatriation of all recoverable remains. The total accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is 996. A breakdown by country of these 996 Americans is: Vietnam – 672, Laos – 279, Cambodia – 42, and the PRC – 3. In addition, 63 US personnel were accounted for between 1973 and 1975, the formal end of the Vietnam War, for a grand total of 1,059. These 63 Americans, were accounted for by US-only efforts in accessible areas, not due to cooperation by post-war governments in Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia. A total of 287 have been accounted for from Laos, 727 from Vietnam, 42 from Cambodia and 3 from the PRC. NO IDs have been announced since July 26, 2019.
VIETNAM WAR ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS: DPAA Deputy Director for Operations Rear Admiral Darius Banaji, USN, recently visited Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. His first visit included time with DPAA teams conducting field operations in Laos and Vietnam and personnel assigned to Detachment 2 in Hanoi and Detachment 3 in Vientiane. In addition, he met with US Embassy staff, as well as counterpart government officials in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.
LEFT: RDML Darius Banaji, USN, DPAA Deputy Director for Operations, speaks with Mike Taylor, SOA/SFA POW/MIA Committee Chair, at the Family Member Update (FMU) hosted by DPAA in Portland, Oregon, Feb 22, 2020.
DPAA visited the area meeting with strategic partners, state government officials, service members and DoD personnel. More than 250 family members attended the FMU, roughly 20% of them Vietnam War family members. (USAF photo by SSgt Leah Ferrante)
POW/MIA FLAG TO BE DISPLAYED YEAR-ROUND: On November 7th, President Trump signed into law the “National POW/MIA Flag Act,” a measure introduced by Representatives Jack Bergman, (R-MI) and Chris Pappas (D-NH) on March 7, 2019. The League-originated POW/MIA flag is now required to be displayed whenever the American flag is posted on prominent federal properties, including the White House, US Capitol, World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, every national cemetery, the buildings containing the official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense and Veterans Affairs, office of the Director of the Selective Service system, each major military installation, each Department of Veterans Affairs medical center and each office of the US Postal Service. The League is grateful for this tremendous level of support, a meaningful signal to all nations that America stands behind and with those who serve – past, present and future – and if captured or missing, all possible efforts will be made to recover and bring home our UNRETURNED Veterans.
FIELD OPERATIONS IN LAOS AND CAMBODIA, January/February 2020
U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, Patrick Murphy, prepares to screen soil during a DPAA recovery mission in Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia. During his Feb. 1, 2020, visit, Ambassador Murphy spoke with recovery team members and local nationals, and he witnessed the recovery efforts for a missing U.S. serviceman lost during the Vietnam War. Ambassador Murphy continues to be a strident champion of the accounting mission, and for that we extend our deepest gratitude. (USAF photo by SSgt Rusty Frank)
Mr. Alexander Garcia-Putnam, right, a senior recovery expert assigned to DPAA, speaks to U.S. service members and Lao officials during a joint field activity (JFA) in Khammouan Province, Laos, February 2, 2020. During the JFA, a group of more than 70 personnel, both assigned to DPAA and augmented from military units around the globe, came together to help fulfill our nation's promise to provide the fullest possible accounting of our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (USMC photo by Sgt Jacqueline Clifford)
SSG Carter Caraker, USA, a supply non-commissioned officer assigned to DPAA, passes buckets to local workers during a JFA in Khammouan Province, Laos, February 10, 2020. During the JFA, a group of more than 70 personnel both assigned to DPAA and augmented from military units around the globe, came together to help fulfill our nation's promise to provide the fullest possible accounting of our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (USMC photo by Sgt Jacqueline Clifford)
OPPORTUNITIES LOST DUE TO COVID 19 CORONA VIRUS: Along with further field operations in Laos and a DPAA-hosted Family Member Update (FMU), the US-ASEAN Special Summit, scheduled to be held in Las Vegas on March 14th, was cancelled. League Chairman/CEO Ann Mills-Griffiths was scheduled to meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on March 13th, and was awaiting confirmation from the Lao and Vietnamese Prime Ministers when the cancellation was announced.
LEAGUE’S 51st ANNUAL MEETING: Pending possible COVID 19 requirements to cancel, registration for the 51st Annual Meeting is now open. Visit www.pow-miafamilies.org/annual-meeting to register online or download the form to mail with your check to the League office. Registrations must be postmarked no later than June 1st. The form must be returned with payment, to obtain credentials required for entrance to all sessions and special events. Those choosing to attend only USG briefings must contact their Service Casualty Office by June 1st. Pick up credentials at the Virginia Ballroom Foyer, Plaza Level, on Wednesday, June 24th, 5:00-8:00 PM or Thursday, June 25th, 8:00-9:00 AM. On Wednesday, June 24th, attend Newcomer Orientation, 6:30-7:30 PM, followed by a Welcome Reception, 7:30-9:00 PM.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: Reserve rooms at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel by calling 1-800-HILTONS (1-800-445-8667). Note affiliation with the League’s 51st Annual Meeting, or go online to www.hilton.com, and enter Group Code MIA to get the special rate of $160.00 + tax, per room night, single or double. (+$20 per night for each added adult in a room.) To get the special rate, the cutoff date is June 1st. The number of rooms is limited, so register early to assure your choice. If you intend to visit Capitol Hill on Wednesday, June 24th, plan to arrive on Tuesday, June 23rd. Opening Session is Thursday, June 25th, as is the 51st Annual Meeting Dinner. Official briefings are all day on Friday, June 26th. Saturday morning, June 27th, is the critical Q&A Panel, followed by the very important League Business Session, open to all registered attendees. A League-hosted Farewell Reception will take place that evening. Customary departure is on Sunday, this year June 28th.
Chairman’s Comment: Despite many challenges, including continuing structural dysfunction within DPAA, there is reason for cautious optimism. With sustained support from the families and our nation’s veterans, the League is determined to press for priority and answers on Vietnam War accounting, as pledged by DPAA Director Kelly McKeague. The League also supports field investigation and recovery of unaccounted-for personnel from WWII, the Korean War and the Cold War as a priority over disinterment and ID of remains buried as “unknowns” in US cemeteries at home and abroad, so long as Vietnam War accounting efforts remain DPAA’s operational priority.
2020 MEMBERSHIP DUES: To those who have not yet renewed their League membership for 2020, the cost is only $25/year for a family member, associate member (concerned citizens/veterans) or organization. Mail a check for dues to the League office, or pay online at www.pow-miafamilies.org/membership. The more dues received, the better chance the League has to stay on top of USG efforts to account for our missing. Help the League save on postage by sending an email address to admin@pow-miafamilies.org to receive future updates electronically; we greatly appreciate your assistance in this cost-saving effort.
SUPPORT THE LEAGUE: You can support the League by shopping at AmazonSmile. It is simple and automatic, at no extra cost to you. Just visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7071242, and you will find the exact same prices, vast selection and convenient shopping you are used to on Amazon. The added bonus? The AmazonSmile Foundation automatically donates 0.5% of the cost of your eligible purchases to the League.
