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DPAA Family/VSO/MSO Quarterly Call and Update Notes

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, 1:00 P.M.

‘Fulfilling Our Nation’s Promise’

Summary: Keeping the families of our missing as well as veterans informed is a primary objective

of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency's (DPAA) mission. This update is intended to

provide an overview of efforts during the previous quarter to account for our missing.

Families-Veteran-Military Service Organization Participants:

 Disabled American Veterans

 Honor Release Return, Inc. 

 Korea-Cold War Families of the Missing

 Korean War POW/MIA Network

 National League of POW/MIA Families

 Special Operations Assoc.

 Veterans of Foreign Wars

 Vietnam Veterans of America

The agenda includes:

 Director’s Update (Mr. Kelly McKeague) 

 Deputy Director of Operations Update (RDML Darius Banaji)

 Operational Update (Euro-Med COL Frank Tank/Indo-Pac Col Brian Peterson)

 Partnerships and Innovations (PI) Update (Dr. Tom Holland)

 Scientific Analysis Update (Dr. Debra Zinni)

 AFMES-AFDIL Update (presented by Dr. Zinni )

 Outreach and Communications Update (Mr. Todd Livick)

 Question & Answer 

In addition to those listed above, Mr. John Hamilton and Ms. Jennifer Nasarenko from Policy & 

Plans also participated in the call.

Director’s Update

Congressional Hearing

On November 19, I am scheduled to testify before the House Oversight and Reform Committee’s 

National Security Subcommittee. Led by Chairman Lynch (D-MA) and Ranking Member Hice (RGA), the committee has shown an increasing interest in the POW/MIA mission after a mission 

overview briefing to the staff in August and the Chairman’s visit with our Hawaii team in 

September. 
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Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Budget

Like the rest of the Federal Government, DPAA is operating under a Continuing Resolution (CR) 

pending enactment of the FY2020 Appropriation Bills. The current CR runs through November 21, 

with minimal impact to operations because our operational planning assumed a CR extending 

through at least the first quarter of the FY. Should there be a lapse in appropriations and a partial 

government shutdown, there will be impacts to our field operations that could include bringing 

teams home earlier than planned. 

Visit to the Philippines and the Republic of Korea

While in the Philippines, I met with officials from their Departments of National Defense and 

Veterans Affairs as well as the National Museum. All pledged to assist our emerging World War II 

accounting efforts there. My U.S. engagements included meetings at our Embassy and speaking at 

the dedication of the Visitors’ Center at the American Cemetery in Manila. In South Korea, I had 

productive meetings with our counterpart agency (MAKRI), with the Ministries of National 

Defense and Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and with the Korean Veterans Association. MAKRI’s 

work in the DMZ has been successful, despite no participation from the North Koreans; they have 

recovered 195 remains, mostly South Korean and Chinese, with one believed to be French soldier 

(there’s only one unaccounted-for American in this area). U.S. meetings included our Ambassador 

and United Nations Command leaders, all of whom value and support DPAA’s work there. I also 

was able to brief the Ambassadors from the UN Sending States about our mission and work on the 

Korean peninsula. 

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)

There’s been no progress on remains recovery with the DPRK. Like the other stipulations from the 

Singapore Summit, it was discussed during the recent denuclearization working level meeting in 

Stockholm. No agreements were reached and it’s unknown whether follow-on meetings will occur 

in the coming months. DPRK’s army never did respond to the letter I sent on July 4 seeking to pass

them our proposal for FY20 field operations. As always, we are open and ready to meet with them 

when they decide to do so.

VSO National Conventions

I was privileged to speak at the VFW’s National Convention in July in Orlando and at the American 

Legion’s National Convention in Indianapolis in August. In August, our Principal Deputy Director 

addressed the Disabled American Veterans at their National Convention in Orlando. We appreciate 

the strong support afforded us by these organizations’ national, state, and local entities. 

Veterans Day Speaking

I will be speaking at the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Florence Cemetery’s Veterans 

Day commemoration. This engagement allows us to strengthen our partnership with ABMC as well 

as tell our story in concert with theirs.

New Senior Enlisted Leader

Army Sergeant Major Joaquin Andujar is on-board as our Senior Enlisted Leader. Born in Puerto 

Rico, he is a career Mortuary Affairs Specialist who served this mission as a Staff Sergeant 

Recovery NCO from 1999 to 2003. He comes to us from U.S. Army Africa in Vicenza Italy where 

he served as a Supply and Service Sergeant Major. We are very privileged to have an alumnus and 

very senior NCO. 
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Deputy Director for Operations Change

Rear Admiral (RDML) Jon Krietz culminated a 37-year career in the U.S. Navy last month and 

settled in the Northern Virginia area with career plans still evolving. His relief, RDML Darius 

Banaji, is aboard. Hailing from Seattle, he is a career civil engineering officer and previously 

served as Commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic in Norfolk, VA. We are 

pleased to have RDML Banaji join the DPAA team. 

Deputy Director for Operations Update

I am humbled and privileged to be part of this noble mission. I arrived to DPAA the end of 

September, and every day I am impressed by the will and skill of the outstanding personnel, both 

military and civilian, that we have at this agency. It is an honor to serve with them and serve you as 

the new Deputy Director for Operations. 

Europe-Mediterranean (EM) Region Travel

The team got me off to a running start since I arrived in September. I just returned from an 

informative trip to our European-Mediterranean Theater of Operations. I visited the Embassies in 

Italy and France to brief the country teams on the status of our operations in those countries. 

Additionally, I met with senior officials from the American Battle Monument Commission (ABMC)

Paris, one of our pivotal partners for WWII disinterments. In Germany, I made an office call with 

the US European Command Chief of Staff and visited our Detachment in Missau. These visits are

critically important in building and maintaining relationships to support for current and future 

recovery operations. 

Indo-Pacific (IP) Region Engagements

In September, RDML Kreitz and a delegation from DPAA went to Cambodia and Vietnam to 

participate in annual talks regarding FY20 operations in support of our Vietnam War efforts. The 

talks in Cambodia and Vietnam were very successful. In Cambodia, we continued to strengthen our 

relationship with the Kingdom of Cambodia (KOC) POW/MIA Committee. The KOC reaffirmed its 

commitment to the DPAA accounting mission and expressed their nation's continued support. They 

also agreed to allow a supervised partner team to conduct a Joint Field Activity on Koh Tang in 

FY20. 

In Vietnam, our enduring relationship is as strong as ever. In another step toward increased 

operations, the Vietnamese agreed to increase the number of unilateral and joint excavations in FY20 

and FY21. They agreed to increase the number of these missions from fielding four to doing six 

unilateral excavations in FY20, and further increase to eight teams in FY21. 

At the end of September, we hosted a Lao delegation for our annual bilateral consultations at the 

DPAA facility in Hawaii. Our 34-year partnership with the Lao remains strong and continues to 

grow. The Consultations were cordial and resulted in Lao concurrence with the proposed FY20 

operations for five joint field activities in Laos. We continued to work with the Lao to increase the 

number of DPAA personnel supporting our Joint Field Activities from 65 to 85 and increase our 

operational flexibility through the use of additional base camps. The Lao announced they had 

acquired two additional personnel to support Stony Beach activities. We welcomed this 

development and reemphasized the need to support year-round Stony Beach missions outside the 
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typical joint field activity windows. The Lao are continuing to work on gaining approval for our use 

of modernized satellite communications equipment, which are essential for the safety of our teams in 

the field. 

Later this month, I will make my first trip to Southeast Asia to visit and meet the DPAA 

Detachments in Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos as well as meet with member of the US country teams. 

I will also have the opportunity to introduce myself to our counterparts in Vietnam and Laos. 

I will conclude by saying again I am humbled and grateful I am to serve in this Agency. I look 

forward to future engagements, especially with our Family and Veteran Groups. 

Regional Director Hail/Farewell

Before I introduce our Regional Directorates, we’d like to bid farewell to COL Brian Pearl, US 

Army, our former Europe- Mediterranean Regional Directorate. He’ll retire after over 35 years of 

service. Our thanks to COL Pearl for his hard work and dedication, both of which were pivotal to 

our continued mission success. His relief is COL Frank Tank. COL Tank is an experienced leader 

with a proven track-record. He comes to us from the his previous post Chief, Army Element and 

Director of Operations, Mission Integration Directorate, National Reconnaissance Office. We are 

glad to have COL Tank join the DPAA team.

Operational Update

Europe-Mediterranean (EM) Region

Aug-Oct Operations

During this time period, we conducted six investigations and two recovery missions. Activities 

occurred in Austria, Hungary, German, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Additionally 

investigation and recovery work conducted by partners occurred in the United Kingdom, Belgium, 

Germany, Poland, 

Aug-Oct Disinterment Operations

39 disinterments occurred during this time period at ABMC cemeteries in France, Belgium, and 

Netherlands. For the entire FY19, Europe-Mediterranean disinterred 33% more unknowns than were 

disinterred during the previous FY for a total of 77. 

Planned Nov Operations

Falling temperatures throughout the Europe-Mediterranean area of operations during this time period 

hamper our ability to break ground; therefore there are no planned recoveries, investigations, or 

disinterments scheduled for the month of November.

Indo-Pacific (IP) Region

Aug-Oct Operations

During this period, the Indo-Pacific Regional Directorate conducted missions across Laos, Vietnam, 

Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Tarawa. Vietnam War missions consisted of Joint Field 

Activities (JFAs) in Laos and Vietnam. Laos (July 12 – Aug 16) comprised of three recovery teams 

and one investigative team, the one JFA in Vietnam (Aug 2 – Sep 17) consisted of five recovery

teams and two investigative teams. On October18, the JFA began in Laos will consist of three 
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recovery operations and a survey team. The Vietnam mission will consist of two Recovery Teams, a 

field Investigation Team, and an Underwater Site Survey. 

The WWII, Korean War, and Cold War Indo-Pacific missions included a JFA to Papua New Guinea 

during August 9 - October 20, consisting of three Investigation Teams and one Recovery Team that 

returned what’s believed to be at least seven sets of remains, while overseeing new field operations 

with the University of Papua New Guinea and the University of Queensland. We initiated one mission 

to the Solomon Islands June 8-August 11, consisting of one Investigation Team and two Recovery 

Teams that completed investigations of ten cases and surveyed 5 sites - returning possible osseous 

material and material evidence from 2 aircraft sites. We conducted an Underwater Recovery Team on 

the Kwajalein Atoll September 23 – October 16 through our partner, East Carolina University. This 

mission yielded significant quantities of material evidence and life support evidence for further 

analysis. Our History Flight, Inc. partner continued work on Tarawa in Row D of Cemetery 33, 

resulting in a Repatriation Ceremony on September 27 in which 14 sets of remains were returned to 

the U.S. We were unable to conduct a field Investigation Team and a research mission to China due to 

ongoing political dynamics; a future mission is reprogrammed for next year pending access to the 

People’s Liberation Army archives. 

Aug-Oct Disinterment Operations

Forty Eight (48) Unknowns were exhumed from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in 

Hawaii over the past three months. Phase Two of the Korean War Disinterment Project will continue

through March of 2020. Exhumations in the Manila American Cemetery & Monument (Philippines) 

were on hold throughout the 4th Quarter due to the Philippines monsoon season. Our upcoming 

Manila disinterment mission will be underway on November 1 and consist of at least 40 Unknowns, 

mainly originating from the Cabanatuan Prison Camp 

Planned Nov Operations

We currently have operations in India from November 1 – December 16, consisting of a recovery 

mission conducted by contract organization, SEARCH, who will be focused on a high-altitude aircraft 

crash site. Our partner, History Flight, continues their work in Tarawa, focusing on new areas of 

Cemetery 33, closing Cemetery 26, while expanding investigations into the St. John Bosco School 

and Bird’s Beak areas.

Research and Analysis

U.S. combat veterans have played a pivotal role in uncovering new information on our missing 

servicemen lost during the Korean and Vietnam wars. This last fiscal year, we interviewed 142 

veterans at seven different reunions. Most recently, our research team was in Las Vegas on October 

22-25 visiting the Special Operations Association Reunion (SOAR) to gather information on our 

missing Special Forces servicemen lost during the Vietnam War. We expect another robust Oral 

History Program this fiscal year with visits to the American Defenders of Bataan Corregidor 

survivors’ reunion; Chosin Few, Inc; Army Chapter of the Chosin Few; 1st Cavalry Division; Korean 

War Vets Association; 1st Marine Division Association; and 2nd Infantry Division. 
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Partnerships & Innovation (PI) Update

Field Missions

Partnerships and Innovations helped coordinate 11 field missions that partners commenced in fourth 

quarter FY19. These missions included terrestrial and underwater sites in countries such as Malta, 

Lithuania, Papua New Guinea, and the Marshall Islands. The PI team also actively engaged in 

planning and coordination efforts for 36 partner missions anticipated in FY20. We are attempting to 

expand the partnership footprint by sending partner teams to new countries, and by increasing the 

numbers and types of projects that we conduct with partners.

Expanding Partnerships

In the fourth quarter, working with other staff sections, PI hosted 22 partner personnel, representing 

17 partner institutions, at our fourth and fifth sessions of the DPAA Academy (one each for fielddirected and research-directed organizations). PI has spent the last quarter further expanding the 

bench of partners by negotiating five new signed partnership arrangements, with many more in 

progress. PI staff also engaged in extensive partnership development activities including exploratory 

discussions with potential partners, in-person collaboration meetings, and project oversight and 

assistance visits.

PI, along with other stakeholders, spent much of the last quarter focused on re-instituting the 

promising Hub & Spokes research program that will involve the efforts of nine U.S. academic 

institutions in collaborative research efforts. We anticipate a rolling startup effort in the first half of 

FY20, and look forward to expand research and analysis capabilities as well as capacity.

Scientific Analysis (SA) Update

Final FY 2019 Accounted for 

Total = 217

WWII = 140

Korean War = 72

Vietnam War = 5

FY 2020 Accounted for as of November 6, 2019:

Total = 9

WWII = 8

Korean War = 1

Vietnam War = 0

In ending the fiscal year, DPAA accounted for 217 Americans out of 220 identifications and 

completed 61 Additional Portions Reports. FY19 was another record year for the Agency in both 

accounting and identifications, demonstrating our continued increase in capability and capacity

across the Agency. 
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Other Highlights

The installation of isotope lab analytical systems is on-going and quality assurance testing began 

this quarter, with the expectation that the isotope function will be fully accredited by the end of 

Calendar Year 2019. The instrumentation and methods will allow us to analyze thousands of 

samples per year, and offer a fast, low cost method for separating U.S. remains from foreign 

nationals prior to DNA testing; thereby reducing cost and time, and support identifications directly 

by providing information as to where the individuals lived during their lifetime.

AFMES-AFDIL Update

FY2019 End of the Year 

Our goal was to report 3,500 analysis to DPAA; we reported 3,765 analysis to DPAA

Success rates for short tandem repeat testing was 63%; up from approximately 57% the year before. 

Success rates for non-chemically treated mtDNA samples was 94% up from 92% the year before.

Next Generation Sequencing of chemically treated or highly damaged DNA was 60% up from 55% 

the year before.

AFMES-AFDIL wrote 650 DNA Comparison Reports for the DPAA, 207 were first-time named 

DNA reports. These are reports that lead or support new identifications. The remaining were 

addendum reports that represent additional skeletal elements associated to the service member.

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) 

Current work load with existing instruments is 45 samples per month. AFMES-AFDIL has 

finished its assessment of the new higher throughput samples that were purchased and installed 

in Spring 2019. Optimization experiments demonstrated ability to move from grouping six 

samples together to being able to run 48 samples together. We have initiated the validation of 

these instruments and are looking to bring them on line by May 2020.

NGS has been on line for 3-1/2 years and we have issued 309 DNA Comparison Reports, of 

which 136 are first-time named reports. These are samples that previously would not have been 

able to be identified using DNA technology.

Outreach and Communications Update

Annual Government Briefings/Family Member Updates

DPAA hosted the Korean/Cold War Annual Government Briefings August 1-2 in Arlington, VA. 

The meeting included formal presentations to the families; a media panel; individual one-on-one 

briefings with the families; attendance at the Twilight Tattoo performance; and a Republic of Korea 

Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs hosted dinner for the families. 533 family members 

attended the Annual Briefings, of which, 219 were first time attendees. The families represented 

243 losses of missing Americans. Formal briefings were provided by 10 government speakers and 

a non-government media panel discussion comprised of representatives from four (4) different 

media outlets. Of note, two non-DoD officials also briefed the families -- former Governor Bill 

Richardson and the new MAKRI Director, Army BG (RET) Heo. The Cold War families were 

briefed by a National Security Agency historian. A total of 202 individual briefings by 20 DPAA

analysts were held with family members and their respective service casualty officer. 

As of November 6, 2019, Facebook Live has reached nearly 27,000.
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On September 7, the Agency hosted a FMU in Dayton, OH for 313 family members of missing 

Department of Defense personnel. This FMU had a high attendance rate for first-time families; of 

the 313 family members, 194 were first-time attendees. A staffer from Representative Turner’s 

office attended the FMU as did a staffer from Senator Brown’s office who highlighted the Senator’s 

support for the mission and the families. Ms. Pamela Whitelock provided a well-received family 

member perspective on her journey to account for her uncle, U.S. Army Air Forces 1Lt Ewart T. 

Sconiers.

Prior to the FMU, a DPAA/Armed Forces Media Examiner System (AFMES) outreach team met 

with the National Veterans Memorial Museum in Columbus, the 88th Air Wing Vice-Commander, 

Wright Patterson AFB, and met with a staffer from the office of Representative Wenstrup. The 

outreach team briefed The Ohio State University Army ROTC cadre and several cadets and 

veterans. Afterward, the team met with staffers from the office of Representative Turner. 

As of November 6, 2019, Facebook Live has reached nearly 13,000.

On November 2, the Agency hosted a FMU in San Juan, Puerto Rico for 34 family members. Of 

note, all of the briefings were given in Spanish. The VFW sponsored the refreshments for the 

families. The VFW had three local representatives attend - Chapter 1206 Vice Commander Carlos 

Reyes and the Quartermaster General stayed the whole day. A staffer from Congresswoman 

Gonzalez-Colon’s office attended the afternoon breakout session. And Edwin Ramos from the 

Survivor Outreach Service, G1, Puerto Rico National Guard also attended the morning briefings. 

Prior to the FMU, a DPAA/AFMES outreach team along with the DPAA Senior Enlisted Leader

travelled to Fort Buchanan and briefed 30 Soldiers from the 246th QM Co, 311th QM Co, 77th 

CSSB Command Teams, and Soldiers in school at Fort Buchanan who are transitioning to become 

92Ms (Mortuary Affairs Specialist).

The outreach team also briefed G1 personnel for the Puerto Rico National Guard. 

As of November 6, 2019, Facebook Live has reached nearly 10,000.

As a reminder, all DPAA FMU and Annual Government Briefings are archived and can be found at 

https://vimeo.com/dpaa.

FMU Schedule:

The next FMU is on January 25, 2019 in Las Vegas, NV. For an updated list of DPAA’s FY 2020 

Family Member Update schedule, please visit https://www.dpaa.mil/Families/Family-Events/

Special Operations Annual Reunion

Johnie Webb, Jack Kull, Steve Thompson, and Matt Kristoff participated in the convention held in 

October in Las Vegas. Johnie and Jack briefed the POW/MIA Committee and Matt and Steve 

conducted numerous Veteran interviews throughout the week.

Media Coverage of Note

August 8, 2019 Airline pilot flies dad's remains home from Vietnam 52 years after seeing him 

off at same Dallas airport (Via USA Today)

When Air Force Maj. Roy Knight, Jr., left Dallas for Vietnam 52 years ago, his 5-year-old son, 

Bryan, came to Dallas Love Field to see him off. On Thursday, Bryan, now a captain for Southwest 

Airlines, brought back his father's remains aboard a flight to the same Dallas airport.
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Knight, born in Garner, Texas, was 36 when he was shot down while attacking a target on the Ho 

Chi Minh trail in Laos on May 19, 1967, according to White’s Funeral Home in Weatherford, 

Texas.

For the full story, follow the link below.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/08/08/vietnam-vet-airline-pilot-flies-mia-dadsremains-home-texas/1956770001/

October 25, 2019 - West Virginia soldier killed in the Korean War identified

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) says the remains of Army Cpl. Charles H. 

Grubb, 21, of War Eagle, West Virginia, have been accounted for.

Cpl. Grubb was a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry 

Division. He was reported missing in action December 1, 1950, after the enemy attacked his unit 

near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Immediately after the battle, Grubb was declared missing 

in action, and a few months later, was officially determined to have been killed in action. His 

remains were not recovered.

To identify Cpl. Grubb’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as 

circumstantial and material evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical 

Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA and autosomal DNA analysis. Cpl. Grubb was 

identified August 27, 2019.

Following the June 2018 summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme 

Leader Kim Jong-un, North Korea turned over 55 boxes, purported to contain the remains of 

American service members killed during the Korean War July 27, 2018.

For the full story, follow the link below.

https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/west-virginia-soldier-killed-in-the-korea-war-identified/

October 27, 2019 - 'Jimmy' Crotty, one of Coast Guard's greatest heroes, is finally coming 

home.

In the early 1990s, while attending college and working at a nursing home, Michael Kelly moved in 

with his elderly grandfather, Patrick Crotty, on Cumberland Avenue in Buffalo. It was a move that 

made sense. They enjoyed each other’s company, and Michael did not expect anything to feel like a 

big surprise.

That was before he looked with awe on what amounted to a quiet family shrine, in the back room.

The space was crowded with photos and memorabilia involving Lt. Thomas “Jimmy” Crotty, 

Michael’s great-uncle and a Coast Guard officer whose remains were never returned after he died in 

a Japanese prison camp during World War II.

Michael had never fully realized how Jimmy assumed such iconic meaning to the Coast Guard. Yet 

Michael's grandfather deflected any talk about his youngest brother, whom he helped to raise after 

their father died while the seven Crotty children still were young.
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For the full story, follow the link below.

https://buffalonews.com/2019/10/27/jimmy-crotty-one-of-coast-guards-greatest-heroes-is-finallycoming-home/

Questions and Answers

Korea-Cold War Families of the Missing: Can someone speak to progress or lack thereof in 

Russia? Answer: The US Russia Joint Commission is still active and tech talks are scheduled for 

December. Doc Foglesong is scheduled to be Washington D.C. in January 2020 and is pushing for 

a Plenum next May in Moscow. A complication is that the Russian side is down to two 

Commissioners and are in the process of appointing new ones. We are unfortunately victims of the 

current bilateral relationship, and we have seen a lessening of cooperation. The Russians cancelled 

our planned excavation in Vladivostok. Doc Foglesong’s intent is to reenergize the Commission.

Disabled American Veterans: Is there any work being done on live sighting reports? Answer: 

Live sighting reports are not very common anymore; however, they are treated very seriously and 

investigated. DIA’s Stony Beach is key in investigating these reports. Since the fall of Saigon in 

1975, the U.S. Government has acquired 23,575 reports possibly pertaining to Americans in 

Southeast Asia:

Of the 1,996 firsthand reports received since 1975, 1,941 (97.24%) reports are resolved.

 1,340 (67.13%) reports were equated to Americans who are accounted for (i.e. Prisoners of 

War returnees, missionaries, civilians jailed at various times for violation of Vietnamese 

codes).

 45 (2.25%) reports were correlated to wartime sightings of military personnel or pre- 1975 

sighting of civilians who remain unaccounted for.

 556 (27.86%) reports were determined to be fabrications.

The remaining 55 (2.76%) unresolved firsthand reports represent the focus of the U.S. Government 

analytical and collection efforts:

 48 (2.40%) pertain to Americans reported in a captive environment.

 7 (0.35%) reported sightings of Americans in a non-captive environment (i.e. working as 

truck drivers, married with Vietnamese families).

Special Operations Association: Expressed surprise that we did not highlight that Johnie Webb 

received their highest award at their October convention. Next year they are planning a ceremony to 

FIRSTHAND LIVE SIGHTINGS 1,996

HEARSAY SIGHTINGS REPORTS 5,614

CRASH/GRAVE SITES 5,947

DOGTAGS 10,018

TOTAL 23,575
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honor all of the Special Operations Forces who did not return from the Vietnam War, and have asked 

Director McKeague to speak at the breakfast ceremony? Mr. McKeague noted he had already 

received the formal invitation and has already blocked the dates on his calendar and would be 

honored to speak.

Honor Release Return: What can we do to get the remains recovery operations moving in North 

Korea? Answer: The Director outlined the fact that we have received strong support from Secretary 

Pompeo, Special Representative Biegun, and the President during talks with Chairman Kim and 

other North Korean officials. There is no progress because the North Korean side is linking the 

issue with a reduction in sanctions and denuclearization. Since March 2019, there has been no 

communication from the Korean People’s Army. We have our proposal for field operations 

complete and stand ready to present it as the opportunity presents itself. Mr. McKeague suggested 

the families and veterans may wish to contact the DPRK Mission in New York to press for 

resumption of remains recovery. The address is: DPRK UN Mission, 820 2nd Avenue, 13th Floor, 

New York, NY 10017. 

There is a bright spot in that the K-55 remains have proven to represent 250 individuals: 80 are of 

Asian descent and of the 170 Americans, only 20 are additional remains of service members who 

were previously accounted for. To date, we have identified and accounted for 41. This is good 

news.