JOINT POW/MIA ACCOUNTING COMMAND (JPAC)
Public Affairs (808) 448-1935

RELEASE NO. #08-08
September 12, 2008

JPAC TO COMMEMORATE POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY

HICKAM AFB, HAWAII – The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command will commemorate National POW/MIA Recognition Day at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific [Punchbowl] at 10 a.m. on Sept. 19. Each year, a Presidential Proclamation designates the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Highlights of this year’s ceremony include a wreath laying ceremony, speeches by distinguished guests, and the playing of taps in recognition of prisoners of war and those still missing in action from previous wars.

The ceremony will be led by JPAC’s Commander Rear Adm. Donna Crisp. Keynote speaker will be U.S. Navy Capt. (Ret) Jim Hickerson, a former Vietnam War POW. The ceremony is free and open to the public. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the audience will be invited to tour the cemetery or lay wreaths at the monument.

JPAC’s mission is to conduct operations in support of achieving the fullest possible accounting of Americans missing as a result of our Nation’s past conflicts. One American is still missing from the Gulf War, more than 1,750 from the Vietnam War, 120 from the Cold War, more than 8,100 from the Korean War, and more than 78,000 from World War II.

POW/MIA Update:  July 18, 2007

AMERICAN ANNOUNCED AS ACCOUNTED FOR:  There are now 1,780 US personnel listed by the Department of Defense as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.  The identification of the remains of three Americans previously missing and unaccounted for has not yet been publicly announced; however, the statistics are included here.  Just prior to the League’s 38th Annual Meeting, the remains of LtCol Alton C. Rockett, Jr., USAF, were announced as identified.  The accounting for these four US personnel brings to 803 the number of previously missing US personnel returned since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.  Over 90% of 1,780 still listed as missing were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.  

PRESIDENTS OF VIETNAM & U.S. MEET:   On June 22nd, the President of Vietnam met at the White House with President Bush and members of his Cabinet, including Secretary of Defense Bob Gates.  According to US officials, the President again raised the need for increased cooperation by Vietnam, including on incidents in Laos and Cambodia, and to allow the US Navy’s hydrographic ship to participate in underwater accounting efforts.  The Vietnamese President stated agreement to increase their efforts, as did Deputy Prime Minister Khiem in a separate session, held at Vietnam’s request, with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs Ambassador Charles Ray.  That meeting was held at the Defense POW/MIA Office in Crystal City, very near the Hilton Crystal City Hotel, location of the League’s 38th Annual Meeting. 

Also during President Triet’s visit to Washington, League Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths and Senior Policy Advisor Richard T. Childress attended a luncheon co-hosted by the US-ASEAN Business Council and the US Chairman of Commerce at the historic Willard Hotel where President Triet was staying with his 200-member, largely economic entourage.   Surprisingly, the MC at the luncheon introduced the honored guest with comments about how meaningful it had been to him, as a retired general officer, to be on Secretary of State Warren Christopher’s first visit to Vietnam that focused primarily on the POW/MIA accounting mission. His initial mention of the issue brought significant applause from the audience of prominent US corporate officials.  Unsurprisingly, the issue also figured prominently in President Triet’s remarks; the Vietnamese have long acknowledged the central role the issue played in normalizing bilateral ties with the United States, terming the issue their “bridge to normalization” of relations. 

UPDATE ON OPERATIONS:  The 100th period of Joint Field Activities (JFA) in Laos, the fourth 30-day JFA this year, began June 26th and is expected to conclude July 31st.  Again comprised of some 50 US personnel, four teams are focusing on incident excavations. A Change of Command occurred on July 2nd, during which LTC Brandt Deck, USA, replaced LTC Wade Owens, USA, as Detachment 3 Commander.  Both are Special Forces officers, as is JPAC’s Detachment Commander in Hanoi, LTC Jim Saenz, USA.  The 89th JFA in Vietnam is ongoing and will continue over a 45-day period until July 25th. The roughly 100 US personnel are dispersed among one Research/Investigation Team (RIT), one Investigation Team (IT), one Phase 2 Testing Team (P2TT) and five recovery Teams (RTs).  The last JFA, March 8th- April 21st, was extended to include an Underwater Investigation Team (UIT) that included the Navy’s Mobile Diving Salvage Unit #1 (MDSU1), operating along the coast of northern Vietnam, though without the US Navy ship as earlier agreed.

Worldwide, a survey and investigation of a WWII loss on the island of Iwo Jima took place June 17-27th, and an investigation is ongoing in South Korea June 1-30th. While conducting the investigation of a possible burial site identified by an eye witness in the Republic of Korea, the US team recovered possible remains and other material evidence; therefore an immediate recovery operation was undertaken to prevent the possibility of disturbance by nearby South Korean personnel. 

A JPAC historian recently returned to Hawaii after a brief visit to the Netherlands to observe salvage operations of a possible US aircraft and conduct interviews related to a WWII incident.  Finally, excavations on two WWII sites in Hungary and Austria are ongoing and expected to conclude on August 15th.

ARCHIVAL RESEARCH:  There is widespread disappointment – in DPMO, JPAC and the League – in responses to the US Government-funded archival research programs, especially in Vietnam.  This program has been ongoing for several years, but archival records known to exist have not yet been provided, thus the continued calls for unilateral actions by Hanoi, including by President Bush last November.  It is hoped bilateral technical talks with each of the Indochina governments that will occur over the summer will focus on renewing viable multilateral archival cooperation, among other initiatives that are or should be considered.   

WIN A HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER:  The League will receive all proceeds from a nationwide drawing to win a beautiful customized 1989 Harley Sportster that is now ongoing.  Only 8,000 raffle tickets have been printed and numbered, $10.00 each, obtainable by contacting the League office.  With a 1/8,000 chance of winning this Harley Davidson Sportster, the drawing will be held on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 21, 2007, in Washington, DC. Tickets can also be obtained through the League’s website, www.POWMIALeague.org, by clicking on Pay Pal, though handling adds an additional $2.00 to the total cost of the ticket(s).  Now is your chance to win a Harley AND support the League, a nonprofit 501 [c] 3 tax-exempt organization.

38TH ANNUAL MEETING:  The League’s 38th Annual Meeting was held June 21-24th at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel, Arlington, VA.  There were two very full days of League and US Government presentations, both policy and operational, on Friday, June 22nd and Saturday, June 23rd, followed by a League business session wrap-up on Sunday morning, June 24th.   A complete report on all that transpired will shortly be distributed nationwide and put onto the League’s web site.

FAMILIES OPPOSE ANOTHER SELECT COMMITTEE ON POW/MIA AFFAIRS:  Having had many negative results from prior congressional select committees, the League is on record as strongly opposing H. Res. 111.  Introduced again this year by Representative Peter King (R-NY), the measure has slowly gained some co-sponsors, usually from Members of the House who have confidence that it will again be allowed to die in committee.  Previously disproven claims of conspiracy and cover-up are again being raised, and past investigations have completely tied up assets and resources and the accounting was put on hold to allow time and attention to responding to Congress.  The League will continue to fight against another wasteful, time-consuming special committee or commission unless and until there is nothing further that can be done constructively.  In that event, the League would then reconsider.  That time is NOT now!   

POW/MIA Update:  June 26, 2007

AMERICAN ANNOUNCED AS ACCOUNTED FOR:  There are now 1,783 US personnel listed by the Department of Defense as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.  The identification of the remains of an American as MIA in North Vietnam on June 2, 1967, was recently announced.  The accounting for LtCol Alton C. Rockett, Jr., USAF, brings to 800 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.  Over 90% of 1,783 still listed as missing were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.  

UPDATE ON OPERATIONS:  The 100th period of Joint Field Activities (JFA) in Laos, the fourth 30-day JFA this year, began today and is expected to conclude July 31st.  Again comprised of some 50 US personnel, four teams are focusing on excavating incidents.  A Change of Command will occur on July 3rd, during which LTC Brandt Deck, USA, will replace current Detachment 3 Commander LTC Wqade Owens, USA.  Both are Special Forces officers, as is the Detachment Commander in Hanoi, LTC Jim Saenz, USA.   

The 89th JFA in Vietnam is ongoing and will continue over a 45-day period until July 25th.  The approximately 100 US personnel will break into one Research/Investigation Team (RIT), one Investigation Team (IT), one Phase 2 Testing Team (P2TT) and five recovery Teams (RTs).  The last JFA, March 8th- April 21st, was extended to include an Underwater Investigation Team (UIT), comprised of US personnel from JPAC and the Navy’s Mobile Diving Salvage Unit #1 (MDSU1) that completed work on May 4th.  The underwater survey was conducted in two provinces along the coast of northern Vietnam, though without participation by the USN ship as earlier agreed.  Reportedly, bureaucratic obstacles impeded inter-ministerial coordination required by Vietnam for using the US Navy’s hydrographic ship on the POW/MIA accounting effort.   

On worldwide operations, a survey and investigation of a WWII loss on the island of Iwo Jima began on June 17th and will conclude tomorrow.  An IT is working in South Korea June 1-30th. While conducting the investigation of a possible burial site identified by an eye witness in the Republic of Korea, the US team recovered possible remains and other material evidence; therefore an immediate recovery operation is in process to prevent the possibility of disturbance by nearby South Korean personnel.  In addition, one IT and two representatives of the government of Japan are on the Island of Iwo Jima to investigate and survey a WWII loss site.  That mission will conclude at the end of June.  Finally, in Hungary and Austria, one joint team advance team was working to prepare a site for excavations that begin tomorrow, this week.  Finally, a JPAC historian returned June 2nd to Hawaii after a brief visit to the Netherlands to observe salvage operations of a possible US aircraft and conduct interviews related to a WWII incident. 

US PACIFIC COMMAND (PACOM) VISIT:  League Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths visited Hawaii May 6-9th, receiving a comprehensive briefing by MDSU1 personnel on their just-concluded Vietnam operations while there.  The trip’s primary purposes were to attend the Change of Command for US Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) and meet with ADM Tim Keating, Commander, US Pacific Command (PACOM), and his Chief of Staff, VADM Van Alford.  Griffiths reinforced the importance of retaining JPAC as a cohesive organization that includes the Central Identification Laboratory (CIL), not again separating it as long existed.  She also reinforced JPAC’s role in the issue and urged PACOM support for full funding and placing higher priority on construction of the new JPAC facility.   Significant time was also spent at JPAC, including discussions with JPAC Commander Mike Flowers, USA, Deputy Commander Johnie Webb and senior Staff Directors on issues of mutual interest and/or concern.     

ARCHIVAL RESEARCH:  There is widespread disappointment – in DPMO, JPAC and the League – in responses to the US Government-funded archival research programs, especially in Vietnam.  This program has been ongoing for several years, but archival records known to exist have not yet been provided, thus the continued calls for unilateral actions by Hanoi, including by President Bush last November.  It is hoped bilateral technical talks with each of the Indochina governments that will occur over the summer will focus on renewing viable multilateral archival cooperation, among other initiatives that are or should be considered.   

WIN A HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER:  The League will receive all proceeds from a nationwide drawing to win a beautiful customized 1989 Harley Sportster that is now ongoing.  Only 8,000 raffle tickets have been printed and numbered, $10.00 each, obtainable by contacting the League office.  With a 1/8,000 chance of winning this Harley Davidson Sportster, the drawing will be held on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 21, 2007, in Washington, DC. Tickets can also be obtained through the League’s website, www.POWMIALeague.org, by clicking on Pay Pal, though handling adds an additional $2.00 to the total cost of the ticket(s).  Now is your chance to win a Harley AND support the League, a nonprofit 501 [c] 3 tax-exempt organization.

38TH ANNUAL MEETING:  The League’s 38th Annual Meeting was held June 21-24th at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel, Arlington, VA.  There were two very full days of League and US Government presentations, both policy and operational, on Friday, June 22nd and Saturday, June 23rd, followed by a League business session wrap-up on Sunday morning, June 24th.   A complete report on all that transpired will shortly be distributed and put onto the League’s web site.

COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN (CFC) APPROVES LEAGUE FOR 2007:  The League was just notified that all criteria were met, and our newly assigned (five digit) number is 10218, just assigned by the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Washington, DC.  The League is the ONLY nonprofit organization representing Vietnam War POW/MIAs and KIA/BNR’s and their families that is eligible for donations through the CFC & United Way structure.  Despite the reality that there are many competing charities and much need, especially in a time of war, the League is proud of our CFC eligibility, knowing the tough criteria any organization must meet.

POW/MIA Update:  June 2, 2007

AMERICANs ANNOUNCED AS ACCOUNTED FOR:  There are now 1,784 US personnel listed by the Department of Defense as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.  The identification of the remains of two American previously listed as MIA in Laos was recently announced.  Those identified are Major Donald E. Westbrook, USAF, from Texas, listed MIA March 13, 1968, remains repatriated September 3, 1998 and identified February 14, 2007.  The second person was Sergeant First Class John T. Gallagher, USA, from Connecticut, listed MIA January 5, 1968, remains repatriated March 15, 2002 and identified November 13, 2006.  The accounting for these two Americans brings to 799 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.  Over 90% of the 1,784 still listed as missing were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.  

UPDATE ON OPERATIONS:  The 99th period of Joint Field Activities (JFA) in Laos, the third 30-day JFA this year, began April 30th and is expected to conclude June 5th.  Comprised of some 50 US personnel, one of the four teams is pursuing information on ten cases, and the three other teams are focusing on excavating incidents related to a burial site, a ground loss and three aircraft losses.  The 100th JFA in Laos will take place June 26 – July 31st and consist of four recovery teams.   The 88th JFA in Vietnam took place March 8th- April 21st, a longer period of time (45 days) and with a larger team than in Laos or Cambodia. That JFA was extended to include an underwater survey and investigation team, comprised of US members from JPAC and the Navy’s Mobile Diving Salvage Unit #1 (MDSU1) that was completed on May 4th.  The underwater survey was conducted in two provinces along the coast of northern Vietnam, though without participation by the USN ship as earlier agreed.  Reportedly, bureaucratic obstacles impeded inter-ministerial coordination required by Vietnam for using the US Navy’s hydrographic ship on the POW/MIA accounting effort.   On worldwide operations, a survey and investigation of a WWII loss on the island of Iwo Jima will take place June 17-27th; and an investigation team will work in South Korea June 1-30th.  In addition, a JPAC historian returned June 2nd to Hawaii after a brief visit to the Netherlands to observe salvage operations of a possible US aircraft and conduct interviews related to a WWII incident. 

POW/MIA Update:  May 24, 2007

AMERICANs ANNOUNCED AS ACCOUNTED FOR:  There are now 1,784 US personnel listed by the Department of Defense as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.  The identification of the remains of two American previously listed as MIA in Laos was recently announced.  Those identified are Major Donald E. Westbrook, USAF, from Texas, listed MIA March 13, 1968, remains repatriated September 3, 1998 and identified February 14, 2007.  The second person was Sergeant First Class John T. Gallagher, USA, from Connecticut, listed MIA January 5, 1968, remains repatriated March 15, 2002 and identified November 13, 2006.  The accounting for these two Americans brings to 799 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.  Over 90% of the 1,784 still listed as missing were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.  

POW/MIA Update:  May 15, 2007

AMERICAN ANNOUNCED AS ACCOUNTED FOR:  There are 1,786 US personnel listed by the Department of Defense as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.  The identification of the remains of one American previously KIA/BNR was released on April 11th.  LT Michael R. Newell, USN, Ellenville, NY, was reported killed in action on December 14, 1966, in an F8E on a mission over North Vietnam.  His remains were repatriated August 15, 2005, identified November 27, 2006, and announced on April 11th.  The accounting for LT Newell brings to 797 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.  Over 90% of the 1,786 still listed as missing were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.    

POW/MIA Update: April 13, 2007

AMERICAN ANNOUNCED AS ACCOUNTED FOR THIS WEEK: There are now 1,786 US personnel listed as missing and unaccounted for by the Department of Defense. The identification of the remains of one American previously KIA/BNR from the Vietnam War was released on April 11th. LT Michael R. Newell, USN, from Ellenville, NY, was reported killed in action on December 14, 1966, in an F8E on a mission over North Vietnam. His remains were repatriated August 15, 2005, identified November 27, 2006, and his name was released April 11th. The accounting for LT Newell brings to 797 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Over 90% of the 1,787 still listed as missing were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.

U.S. NAVY SHIP NOT PARTICIPATING IN UNDERWATER OPERATIONS: After more than a decade of consistent League efforts, reinforced by former Commanders of the US Pacific Command, Vietnam’s leaders approved using US Navy vessels just before the President’s visit last November. The detailed process required for approval is reportedly still being worked, but was not completed in time for the underwater survey/investigation now ongoing. This US Navy asset was not required for the current operations or even most shallow-water recoveries, but commitment from both governments to support the process was a significant and welcome policy change by Vietnam’s leadership. The League was pleased that ADM Gary Roughead, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, raised the issue during his January visit to Vietnam as part of the improving military-to-military relationship, as did Ambassador Charles Ray, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for POW/MIA Affairs. Comment: Despite high level emphasis and agreement, including during Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Khiem’s recent visit to Washington and talks with Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, Vietnam’s bureaucracy was reportedly unable to move quickly enough to implement the high level agreement, at least on the POW/MIA accounting agenda. Perhaps by the time Vietnam’s President Triet visits Washington in early summer bureaucratic hurdles will have been removed.

MEMBERS OF HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE VISIT VIETNAM: A delegation of US House Members, led by Representative Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Readiness, visited Vietnam April 5-7th. Reportedly, the delegation discussed matters relating to bilateral relations, the “search for Americans Missing in Action (MIA), economy and trade." The delegation also met with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command’s Detachment II in Hanoi and counterpart officials in the External Relations Committee of Vietnam’s National Assembly. During the meetings, the Vietnamese were positive concerning recent development of bilateral relations with the US, including improved military to military relations. This was the first delegation to Vietnam from the new Democratic-led 110th Congress, and its House Armed Services Committee.

UPDATE ON OPERATIONS: The 98th period of Joint Field Activities (JFA) in Laos, the second 30-day JFA this year, took place March 6th to April 8th. Two members from the League-organized POW/MIA family delegation visited incident sites in Northeastern Laos on March 23rd. Semi-annual POW/MIA consultations were conducted in between the two JFAs; the Lao reportedly responded with flexibility to US requests, urging expanded efforts to build on successes and a review of the past several years’ cooperation.

On March 21st, two family members visited one area of the 88th JFA in Vietnam that began March 8th and is scheduled to conclude about April 21st. Such operations in Vietnam are on a much larger scale and for a longer period of time (45 days) than in Laos or Cambodia. The underwater survey/investigation team, comprised of US members from JPAC and the Navy’s Mobile Diving Salvage Unit #1 (MDSU#1) began work this week along the coast of North Vietnam and plan to conclude in early May, though as noted above, without participation by the USN ship.

There is widespread disappointment – DPMO, JPAC and the League – in responses to the US Government-funded archival research programs, especially with Vietnam. This program has been ongoing for several years, but archival records known to exist have not yet been provided, thus the continued calls for unilateral actions by Hanoi, including by President Bush last November. It is hoped bilateral talks with each of the Indochina governments that will occur over the summer will focus on renewing viable multilateral archival cooperation, among other presumed initiatives.

AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON’S TRIP TO NORTH KOREA: Former US Ambassador to the United Nations (Clinton Administration) and current Governor of New Mexico and declared presidential candidate Bill Richardson (D-NM) led a bipartisan delegation to Pyongyang, North Korea (DPRK) for the stated purpose of accepting six remains that are believed to be those of US servicemen who died during the Korean War. Reflecting the bipartisanship of the delegation was former head of the Department of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi, accompanied by various US officials, including an Asian specialist from the President’s National Security Council staff and Col Dave Ellis, USAF, Principal Director of the Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO). A welcoming repatriation ceremony was held yesterday at Hickam AFB prior to transfer of the remains, unilaterally recovered and turned over by the DPRK, to the JPAC’s Central Identification Laboratory.

POW/MIA LEAGUE UPDATE:  FEBRUARY 20, 2007

 U.S. PERSONNEL MISSING FROM THE VIETNAM WAR:  There are still 1,787 US personnel listed as missing and unaccounted for by the Department of Defense.  The identifications of four Americans previously missing/unaccounted for from the Vietnam War were recently announced:   

Colonel Norman D. Eaton, USAF, OK, MIA 1/13/69, Laos, RR 12/16/05, ID 11/20/06

Lt Colonel Paul E. Getchell, USAF, ME, MIA 1/13/69, Laos, RR 12-16-05, ID 11/20/06

Major Benjamin F. Danielson, USAF, USA, MN, MIA 12/5/69, Laos, RR 11/12/03, ID 8/6/06

Sergeant First Class Lewis C. Walton, RI, MIA 5/10/71, SVN, RR 10/19/04, ID 10/23/06

The League extends best wishes to the families and friends of these men and hopes that these final answers bring long-awaited peace of mind. The accounting for these Americans brings to 795 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.  Over 90% of the 1,787 still listed as missing were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnamese wartime control.  

VIETNAM APPROVES USE OF U.S. NAVY SHIP FOR UNDERWATER RECOVERIES:  After more than a decade of consistent League efforts, reinforced in more recent years by former Commanders of the US Pacific Command, ADM Tom Fargo (now retired) and ADM William J. Fallon, now Commander of the US Central Command, the Vietnamese leadership approved using US Navy vessels.  The detailed approval process utilized for recent official USN port calls will be required, as will details of the specific mission proposed for such a recovery.  Utilizing this US Navy asset won't be necessary for most shallow-water recoveries, but commitment from both governments to support the process is a significant policy change by Vietnam, deeply appreciated by the League.    We were pleased that ADM Gary Roughead, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, raised this issue during his recently concluded visit to Vietnam as part of the evolving military-to-military bilateral relationship, as did Ambassador Charles Ray, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for POW/MIA Affairs.

DASD CHARLES RAY RETURNS FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA:  Ambassador Ray recently completed his first visits to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam since being appointed DASD late last year.  Southeast Asian government officials, US Ambassadors and JPAC were known to be eagerly anticipating his involvement and leadership on the issue.   Ambassador Ray plans to hold a briefing on his trip in mid-February for family and veterans group representatives.  Late last year, he visited Moscow to reinforce to the Russian Government the importance of naming a Russian Chairman as counterpart to US Chairman General Robert H. Foglesong, USAF (Ret). 

FAMILY MEMBER DELEGATION READIED:   A League-organized family member trip to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia will take place March 19-27^th.  The group will be led by League Chairman of the Board Jo Anne Shirley, sister of Major Bobby M. Jones, MD, USAF, MIA in SVN since 11-28-72.  Participating will be Sue Scott, Board Secretary and sister of Captain Douglas D. Ferguson, USAF, MIA in Laos since 12/30/69; Pam Cain, VA State Coordinator and daughter of Colonel Oscar Mauterer, USAF, MIA in Laos since 2-15-66; and Karoni Forrester Gonzales, TX Assistant State Coordinator and daughter of Major Ronald W. Forrester, USMC, MIA 12/27/72 in NVN.  Participants have been encouraged to raise funds from local citizens, churches, veterans and other interested friends and neighbors to help defray the estimated $10-12,000 cost per person, so try to help if you can, and clearly mark your donation.   The League is a nonprofit, 501 [c] 3 humanitarian organization, Federal Tax ID #23-7071242. 

UPDATE ON JPAC OPERATIONS:   The 37^th joint recovery operations in Cambodia recently concluded, and an extended period of joint investigations has now begun.  For the 97^th time, joint operations in Laos, begun on January 9^th recently concluded, and the 98^th will begin in early March.  The 87^th joint operations in Vietnam will also begin in early March.  Such operations in Vietnam are on a much larger scale and for a longer period than the other two Indochina countries.  At long last, the US completed action on a two-year assignment cycle for Commanders of JPAC Detachment III in Laos.  This step was long ago approved by the Lao Government, but slowed by the Pentagon bureaucracy.  POW/MIA Consultations in Laos were held February 19^th, and the Lao Government responded very positively to US proposals for upcoming field operations in the northern provinces of Xiengkhoang and Houaphan.  Technical talks in Vietnam were held last week, resulting in some positive movement, in particular preliminary steps to implement recent high level agreement to use a US Navy ship for underwater survey/investigation operations along Vietnam’s coastline.   

Field operations related to WWII are now ongoing in Thailand and are continuing in Papua New Guinea and Palau.  A DPMO-led team recently completed talks in Beijing focused on pursuing an archival research program and restoring field operations there.  There was little to report on specific results; however, the PRC agreed to consider all issues raised by the US, and it likely will take talks at a higher level to get a more positive reaction.  Finally, a JPAC team recently returned from South Korea and discussions on renewed joint operations to begin later this year, plus discussions are ongoing for agreement with Japan to pursue remains recovery at a highly visible site on Iwo Jima.

The above clearly demonstrates the breadth and scope of US accounting efforts around the world.  It would be most helpful and facilitate the accounting if all allocated personnel billets at JPAC were filled to help deal with the backlog of identifications to be made and sites to be investigated, surveyed and excavated.  It is difficult to pursue expansion with foreign governments if the US has insufficient personnel to handle the diverse requirements.