JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (Sept. 29, 2010) – Several archeological and investigative teams from the U.S. Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) returned recently after searching for fallen Americans in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Kiribati, and Canada.
Investigation and recovery team’s successfully uncovered evidence and information associated with Americans missing from the Vietnam War, the Korean War and World War II.
Recovery teams searched for human remains, life support items, and other material evidence (personal and military issued items). Investigation team’s authenticated leads from eye witnesses, conducted field research, and gathered information to determine whether or not there will be a return visit for excavation at a later date.
Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Two recovery teams searched in the Quang Binh and Quang Nam provinces at sites where three missing aircraft crewmembers may have perished during the Vietnam War. The approximately 35-day long undertaking marked the 100th Joint Field Activity in Vietnam.
Republic of Korea: An investigation team authenticated leads from eye witnesses and conduct field research throughout the Kyonggi province. The team investigated 11 cases and performed “canvas operations” (witness interviews, case visits, and light test digging) throughout the various villages.
Five teams searched for WWII remains: three in the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, one in the Republic of Kiribati, and one team in Canada.
Republic of Kiribati: A recovery team excavated five sites searching for Marines who fought during The Battle of Tarawa. Government officials in Kiribati, local citizens and JPAC members gathered at a repatriation ceremony Sept. 20 to honor the remains of what is believed to be two U.S. Marines. The remains have since been turned over for transport to the Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii.
Independent State of Papua New Guinea: Two recovery teams searched in the Madang and Morobe provinces at sites associated with the loss of more than 21 Americans. The investigation team validated the authenticity of leads by conducting interviews, research, and field work in the Central and Northern provinces for 16 aircraft losses and more than 50 Americans still listed as missing in action.
Canada: An investigation team gathered information for a site in Newfoundland, Canada, where two missing aircrew members may have perished.
Falling directly under the U.S. Pacific Command, the jointly-manned organization of more than 400 military and civilian specialists has investigated and recovered missing Americans since the 1970’s. To date, close to 1,700 Americans are still listed as Missing in Action from the Vietnam War, 8,100 from the Korean War, and approximately 74,190 missing from World War II.
The ultimate goal of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, and of the agencies involved in returning America’s heroes home, is to achieve the fullest possible accounting of Americans lost during the nation’s past conflicts.
For more information and to view photos of these missions, visit the JPAC photo gallery at www.jpac.pacom.mil
