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DPAA Families/VSO Quarterly Call and Update Notes

Thursday January 28, 2021, 2:00 PM

‘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.

Family Group-Veterans Service Organization Participants:

• American Legion: Mr. Jason Keller

• Coalition of Families: Mr. Rick Downes

• Disabled American Veterans: Mr. Vincent Darcangelo

• Honor Release Return, Inc.: Mr. Moe Moyer

• Korea-Cold War Families of the Missing: Ms. Sherra Basham

• Korean War POW/MIA Network: Mr. John Zimmerlee

• Korean War Veterans Association: Mr. Rocky Harder

• National League of POW/MIA Families: Mrs. Ann Mills Griffiths

• Special Operations Association: Mr. Mike Taylor

• Vietnam Veterans of America: Mr. Grant Coates

• World War II Families for the Return of the Missing: Ms. Mary Ann Reitano

The agenda includes:

• Director Update (Mr. Kelly McKeague) 

• Deputy Director for Operations Update (RDML Darius Banaji);Operational Update (EuroMed, COL Jon Lust/Indo-Pac, Col Brian Peterson)

• Partnerships and Innovations Update (Dr. Tom Holland)

• Scientific Analysis Update (Dr. John Byrd)

• Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) Update (Dr. Tim McMahon)

• Outreach and Communications Update (Mr. Todd Livick)

• Questions & Answers

Also on the call were Mrs. Jennifer Nasarenko, Policy & Plans Deputy Director, and 

Mr. Johnie Webb, Outreach & Communications Deputy Director.

Director’s Update

Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Budget. Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the 

Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021. In addition to our budget request of $130 million (M), we 

received two Congressional Program Increases - a department reduction restoration of $20M and an 

unspecified increase of $5M, bringing this year’s budget to a little under $155M.
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COVID-19 Impacts. Much like this pandemic continues to adversely affect aspects of your

organization, DPAA and our noble mission have not been spared. While local conditions have not

enabled us to increase our in-office numbers from about 20%, we continue to utilize work

scheduling alternatives and virtual technologies to stay connected. Despite adhering to strict health

and safety protocols, we have had several members contract COVID-19, but fortunately all

recovered. DPAA personnel who are assigned to future planned missions have been appropriately

prioritized for the vaccine and most have been administered the first shot. 

Virtual Archival Exchange. Earlier this week, DPAA researchers conducted a first-ever Virtual 

Archival Exchange with their Chinese counterparts at the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Archives 

Department. Considering recent geopolitical tension, this event across two half-days, was a rare 

opportunity to seek new information, discuss previous requests, and to raise possible field 

investigations in the coming year. There were 15 cases specifically discussed, covering World 

War II (WWII), the Korean War, Cold War, and the Vietnam War. We will continue to engage at 

every opportunity and look forward to executing activities in China once COVID restrictions have 

been relaxed.

Annual Accounting Community Meeting. At the end of February, DPAA will virtually host the

Annual Accounting Community meeting. Stakeholders from across the Department of Defense

(DoD) and non-DoD partners like the Department of Veterans Affairs meet to review Past Conflict

Personnel Accounting policies, initiatives, projects, and other topics of interest that affect the

mission and community as a whole.

DPAA Academy. Last week, we started our second virtual DPAA Academy, which provides us

the means with which to comprehensively and efficiently familiarize and educate private partners

on our mission and practices. Eight individuals from six partner organizations will hear from

DPAA subject matter experts throughout the 2-week session.

DPAA Members Recognized. Marine Captain Matthew Ward, former Team Leader and Military

Assistant, was selected as the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Policy) Action Officer of the

Year, after competing against both military and civilian peers. Two of our Army Mortuary Affairs

NCOs – Master Sergeant Anthony Worsley and previously assigned Master Sergeant Jose

NunezGomez – were selected for promotion to Sergeant Major. Dr. John Byrd, our Lab Director,

received a medal from the Republic of Korea (ROK) President in recognition for his contributions

to the US-ROK alliance.

Deputy Director for Operations (DDO) Update 

Contingency Operations Planning. As we kick off 2021 and are into our second quarter of the 

FY, we remain optimistic by the tremendous efforts of our team in planning, resourcing, and 

training which have enabled “the start” of some missions. Since our last update, teams from our 

Regional Directorates, partners, and counterpart nations conducted terrestrial and underwater 

investigation and recovery missions, and disinterments. Looking forward, we will continue with the 

same level of rigor and determination to safely conduct missions, as every opportunity arises with 

the lifting of partner nation access restrictions. Three of our Staff Directors will highlight these 

active and upcoming missions.
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Force Health Protection Plan. In our last two updates, we highlighted the Force Health Protection

(FHP) Plan we developed to support the resumption of organic and partner field missions during the 

global pandemic. We have effectively put this plan into action and will continue to learn and adapt. 

A few points to note: prior to any missions, all our personnel are tested for and can only depart if 

they receive a negative COVID-19 test; in addition, upon arrival to our partner nations, our teams 

will quarantine for 14 days and take another COVID test prior to start of the mission: in addition, 

we have just started vaccinating volunteering DPAA personnel who plan to go on field missions. 

Virtual Technical Talks. To follow up my discussion at our last VSO call, on November 6, we 

conducted an extremely productive and engaging virtual Tech Talk with the Kingdom of Cambodia 

(KOC) POW/MIA Committee, led by Mr. Lapresse; U.S. Ambassador Murphy also participated. 

Our discussions focused on country access, our FHP guidance, and the feasibility of resuming Joint 

Field Activities (JFAs). Both Mr. Lapresse and AMB Murphy were optimistic conditions will 

support our 2021 operations and emphasized their willingness to assist us in our efforts. 

Air Carrier Safety Assessments. In Southeast Asia countries where our teams' movement via 

commercial helicopters is critical, it is important that we meet requirements that ensure US 

passenger and cargo safety. Fulfilling entry and health protocols, our team successfully assessed 

the quality control, compliance, and safety methods of companies in Laos and Vietnam. We are

now processing the approvals for which these helicopters can be utilized.

Vietnam Unilateral Activity. As we look back at 2020 and the extent of not being able to execute 

organic and partner activities, our counterparts with the Vietnamese Office for Seeking Missing 

Persons (VNOSMP) have over the past year conducted three unilateral JFAs, excavating 10 sites 

and investigating 78 cases. Their efforts have resulted in the recovery of possible osseous remains, 

material evidence, and life support equipment. The VNOSMP efforts highlight the strong bilateral 

cooperation on this mission, and the trust and collaboration between our governments.

Collaboration with MAKRI. On December 16, I spoke with Director Heo of the ROK’s Ministry 

of National Defense’s Killed in Action Recovery and Identification (MAKRI), to discuss how 

DPAA and MAKRI should continue to improve our collective efforts to recover and repatriate the 

remains of our fallen service members from the Korean War. Topics included how best to enable 

DPAA historians to collaborate in MAKRI’s operational planning processes, and the possibility of 

conducting a tailored “Partner Academy” for members of MAKRI. Of note, we are requesting 

MAKRI send a scientist in early 2021 to conduct DNA sampling to support the future repatriation 

of ROK remains.

Cabanatuan Interment. Lastly, tomorrow, January 29, Navy Chief Machinist’s Mate Lada 

Smisek will be interred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP). Captured on 

Corregidor Island following the American surrender of May 6, 1942, Chief Smisek was interned at 

the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines, where he died on September 28, 1942. 

His remains were disinterred from the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial (MACM) in 2016, 

and identified by DPAA on August 19, 2019. It will be my distinct honor to serve as the senior 

Department of the Navy representative at this ceremony.
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Regional Teams Overview

Europe-Mediterranean (EM) Region

Field Operations. We conducted no field operations since the October update due to the normal 

reduction in activities during the winter months in Europe, and in response to the increase in COVID 

numbers both here in the U.S. and in Europe. 

Disinterment Operations. We conducted no additional disinterment operations in the first quarter 

after completing the 11 disinterments from Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Italy 22-29 October, 

due to the normal pause in operations during the winter months at our primary cemeteries. 

Planned Field Operations. We continue deliberate planning to conduct operations in late March, 

with recoveries in Austria and Belgium, an investigation of a potential mass burial site in Germany, 

and research at the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. Despite the significant challenges, we remain 

poised to execute a total of three recovery missions and six robust investigation missions from March 

to September, if conditions allow. 

Planned Disinterment Operations. Although no disinterments are scheduled through March, we 

anticipate resuming disinterments in late April with planned operations at 11 different cemeteries in 

the U.S. and Europe. Our research efforts also continue to produce more proposals linked to 

cemeteries such as Sicily-Rome, Florence, Rhône, and North Africa, where milder climates will 

enable us to conduct year-round disinterment operations.

US–Russia Joint Commission (USRJC) Update. In November, Russian President Putin signed 

Presidential Decree 723 and filled long-standing vacancies on the Russian Side of the Commission. 

The newly appointed Russian commissioners consist of currently serving officials within Russian 

security services and the Armed Forces General Staff, as well as legislators from the Duma and 

Federation Council. This important action highlights the Russian Government’s continuing 

commitment to the USRJC, and sets the stage for the two Sides to renew its work in earnest, once 

pandemic-related conditions permit. Earlier this month, we also received permission and have 

resumed research in the Russian Ministry of Defense Archives, after a nine-month suspension due 

to COVID-related restrictions at the facility. Regular calls between the U.S. and Russian Cochairmen continue to maintain communication between the Sides; support ongoing archival 

research and planning for the previously postponed recovery mission at a cemetery near 

Vladivostok, Russia, which may correlate to a 1951 US Navy aircraft Cold War loss; and 

developing options for virtual Working Group Technical Talks and conducting the 23rd Plenum as 

soon as conditions allow.

Indo-Pacific (IP) Region

Field Operations. Despite last-minute access restrictions that prevented a joint DPAA-US Navy 

team from executing Underwater Recovery and Site Survey missions off the north coast of 

Guadalcanal, the team successfully shifted to their alternate underwater investigation sites off the 

coast of Guam 28 October–5 December. Surveying a number of sites associated with B-29 losses, 

the team was able to rule out a number of possible locations to narrow future search areas, gather 
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valuable hydrographic data to aid future Guam mission planning, and perform a terrestrial aircraft 

loss survey with local National Park Service assistance.

From 16 October to 5 December, the Government of Vietnam once again deployed U.S.-trained 

unilateral teams for a third consecutive JFA. Three Vietnamese Recovery Teams (RT) and one 

Advanced Work Investigation Team (IT) excavated four incidents and investigated 17 incidents, 

respectively.

In Laos, DPAA’s Detachment and DIA Stony Beach conducted investigation efforts in late 

September and early November. The Lao Office of the Prime Minister has restricted access to the 

country by suspending all charter flights and visa approvals for countries with active COVID 

transmissions through January 2021. This caused the cancellation of the second quarter JFA, 

originally planned for mid-January to mid-February. The detachment is working with the Lao 

Government in an effort to resume operations in February and possibly reschedule cancelled 

RTs/ITs toward the end of the FY.

In Cambodia, a DPAA RT is in the middle of their 14-day quarantine and is scheduled to conduct 

field operations 9 February-23 March, after receiving support from the US Embassy and 

permissions from the Cambodian Government. 

Research and Analysis. IP conducted a virtual Korea Case Coordination Conference in October. 

This conference focused on field operations planning for 2021-2023, reviewing ground and air 

cases for investigation and recovery in South Korea and the Demilitarized Zone. The conference 

participants also generated research products provided to MAKRI for their planned operations at 

US loss sites. 

In November, WWII researchers conducted a Case Coordination Conference to establish research 

and investigation goals for the next few years. They also began preparing briefing videos to support 

virtual Family Member Updates (FMU) during FY 2021, and to post on the DPAA websites.

IP conducted its annual coordination meeting with MAKRI virtually on 1 December. We 

exchanged case information, coordinated for 2021 missions, and established research and 

operational priorities. They wrapped up their Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) operations in November 

and plan to resume operations in April. IP will join MAKRI for joint IT work 29 March–15 May in 

the DMZ vicinity of Arrowhead Hill followed by the first joint RT operation 13-31 May.

Southeast Asia researchers conducted a virtual Case Coordination Conference in late January. This 

event – the first time we have ever executed a Southeast Asia Case Coordination Conference 

virtually – included analysts and researchers from DPAA locations in VA, HI, OH, Vietnam, and 

Laos, as well those from Stony Beach. The conference focused on field operations and 

investigation planning for 2021-2023, and reviewed the next steps for over 100 ground and air 

cases.

Disinterment Operations. IP conducted 81 disinterments since October - 36 Unknowns were 

disinterred from NMCP as part of the Korean War Identification Project Phase 3, and 45 Unknowns 

were disinterred from MACM. The December Manila disinterment mission was the largest ever 

conducted by DPAA in the Philippines. 
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Planned Field Operations. In Vietnam, after close coordination with Vietnamese officials and the 

US Embassy, DPAA is poised to resume field operations during the month of February and has 

received permissions from the Vietnamese government to conduct a full JFA with three terrestrial 

and one underwater recovery teams, and investigative operations. The teams will fulfill all required 

health and safety protocols. 

In Laos, DPAA is planning to resume field operations during the month of February. We are 

currently awaiting permission from the Lao Government to conduct a full JFA in February with 

three RTs and an IT. 

IP is also planning an IT mission in Thailand 21 April–5 May.

Planned Disinterment Operations. Disinterment of 55 WWII Unknowns from the MACM is 

planned as soon as DPAA personnel are authorized access to the Philippines due to COVID 

restrictions. This mission will complete operations in Manila for this year. NMCP will continue 

disinterments averaging 16 per month to complete Phase 3 of the Korean War Identification Project 

this year; WWII disinterments will occur as they are approved and will be interspersed with the 

Korea project.

Partnerships and Innovation (PI) Update

PI continues to find work-arounds in this strange time. We are working with US and foreign 

institutions to push partner teams to the field, whenever we can do so safely and when it’s permitted 

by the host nation. Despite the pandemic, the agency was able to conduct both of the partner 

missions that we had planned this past fall. In both instances, DPAA partnered with foreign-based 

organizations that were able to travel in-country or in the region despite stringent COVID-19 

protocols (underwater recovery off the coast of Croatia conducted by the University of Lund 

[Sweden] and an underwater survey of a lake in Germany by a German archaeological association). 

Our intent is to expand our growing list of foreign-based partnerships in FY21. It is worth also 

noting that one of these partners also submitted documentation offering progression for several 

losses, as a result of independently conducted field activities without any costs charged to DPAA.

In addition to the partner field missions, PI, worked with the partners on 24 research projects during 

the first quarter. These projects were conducted through our Hub & Spoke Program that involves 

major military history programs around the country. As of the end of last year, we’ve expanded 

from 8 to 13 institutions. These consist of Ohio State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, University of 

Southern Mississippi, George Mason University, University of Wisconsin, East Carolina University, 

Brigham Young University, University of Nebraska, Temple, University of Delaware, John Brown 

University, and the National WWII Museum. The research results that are coming out of these 

partnerships include information and analysis that DPAA staff can then use in further developing of 

cases from WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Other partner institutions, not necessarily 

in the Hub & Spoke program, also produced unilateral research and analytical products that will 

assist the agency.
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PI continued to develop several major, multi-year projects that look to explore new technologies, 

techniques—such as underwater autonomous vehicles and the use of artificial intelligence/machine 

learning—as well as procedures for both desk-based research and field activities related to our 

mission. These initiatives will provide for multiple field missions in FY21, travel permitting, as well 

as research on losses and possible new-to-DPAA equipment for future use.

Scientific Analysis (SA) Update

The DPAA Laboratory System continued its balanced lab work/telework plan to maintain progress 

on identifications while mitigating risks due to COVID-19. 

Accreditation. In November, the laboratory hosted ANAB for an accreditation surveillance visit, 

which included a scope expansion for isotope testing. The DPAA Laboratory performed 

successfully and has added isotope testing to our accreditation scope. We are the only laboratory in 

the world to be accredited for forensic applications of isotope testing. All other aspects of isotope 

testing were completed in FY20 under the new accreditation discipline called Human Geographic 

Profiling.

USS Oklahoma Project Update. In January 2021, 297 USS Oklahoma service members have been 

identified from the 394 unaccounted-for when the first disinterment occurred in 2003. To date, 

DPAA has accounted for 75% of the total missing population. In the first quarter of FY21, we had 

26 new identifications, 12 of which were due to new DNA Family Reference Samples (FRS) 

obtained by the Navy, and 33 new cases have been added to the Cases for Identification list (14 are 

from new FRS). Additionally, the project has completed the last Reports of Segregation and the 

final Forensic Anthropology Reports have been assigned, marking the final stages of the USS 

Oklahoma Project.

FY2021 Identifications

Total IDs = 41 of newly-accounted-for (plus 88 of additional portions—all WWII)

WWII = 38 newly-accounted-for

Korean War = 3 newly accounted-for

Vietnam War = 0

AFMES-AFDIL Update

Budget. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Congressman Chris Pappas and others who were 

instrumental in getting a $4M program increase for AFMES-AFDIL included in the recently passed 

Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021. The 4M is single year money and will be used in the 

purchase of reagents and to replace end of life equipment supporting the past accounting mission.

FY21 Past Accounting Goals. Maintain current goal of reporting out 4,400 DNA analysis for 

FY21, which is approximately 366 DNA analysis per month. Increase the number of staff trained 

for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). This is being driven by an increase in the number of 

disinterments and highly degraded samples requiring NGS testing. Increase NGS throughput: 

• Current instruments can run 6 samples per run; purchased four new instruments that will 

allow 24 samples per run.
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• Currently finished certification testing and writing up the certification report and submitted 

to senior staff for review.

• Working on developing the standard operating procedures, training staff, publishing the 

results, and modifying the computer monitoring system.

Long-term Projects. Working with a scientist in the ancient DNA field (Neanderthal era) to assist 

with modifications to how AFMES-AFDIL can recover more DNA from highly challenged 

samples. Preliminary testing using a modification of AFMES-AFDIL procedure and the Danby 

procedure have demonstrated a significant increase in sequencing and STR results.

Outreach and Communications 

FY2020 Year in Review. In step with the commitment DoD places on the POW/MIA mission, 

DPAA has published its FY2020 Year in Review, which highlights a number of accomplishments 

despite adverse COVID-19 impacts. We are in the process of mailing out this magazine to your 

organizations. It can also be reviewed on our website: 

https://www.dpaa.mil/Portals/85/YiR%202020%20Web.pdf

Virtual Family Member Update (FMU). On November 7, the Agency hosted the first-ever 

virtual FMU for 250 family members in a 350-mile radius of Little Rock, AR; they represented 149 

cases of missing personnel. U.S. Senator Boozman submitted a pre-recorded message that opened 

the FMU. Throughout the day, DPAA analysts/historians and Service Casualty Officers 

individually met with family members and conducted 89 briefings virtually. The DPAA Facebook 

livestream post of the event has reached over 6,100 users with over 2,800 views, and an article 

highlighting the virtual FMU is at https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-NewsStories/Article/2409987/dpaa-conducts-first-ever-virtual-fmu/

Future FMUs. The Miami, FL FMU, planned for January 23, was cancelled and will be 

rescheduled in FY2022. We will host a second virtual FMU on February 20 connecting with 

families of the missing and other key stakeholders within a 350-mile radius of Los Angeles as well 

as the state of Hawaii. Similar to Little Rock, case summary updates/one-on-ones will be provided 

virtually for requesting families. 

WWII Video Series. As DPAA better facilitates contact and dialogue with WWII families, we are 

beginning to formulate and tape a set of videos of WWII battles/operations that will be posted on 

the Agency website. These 20-minute briefings will outline the overall historic perspective of the 

battle/operation and provide a progress update of efforts to account for those missing. Besides 

educating family members and the public, these videos will also serve as a means of outreach to 

highlight the necessary FRS.

Film Honoring 200th USS OK ID: The Department of Veterans Affairs produced a film honoring 

Navy Fireman 1st Class Billy J. Johnson of Kentucky. Accounted for in February 2019 by our 

Offutt Lab team, he was the 200th service member to be identified from the USS Oklahoma. The 
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14 minute film can viewed at National Cemetery Administration (NCA) U.S. Department of 

Veterans Affairs - How a Sailor Got His Name Back (Full Film) | Facebook.

DOD in Photos: 2020: One of our photographers, Air Force Staff Sergeant Apryl Hall, had one of 

her photos selected for the "DOD in Photos: 2020" collection. Only 90 photos were chosen for this 

worldwide montage (SSgt Hall’s is #56)), which is on the DoD Website and can be viewed at:

https://www.defense.gov/Experience/DOD-in-Photos-2020/fbclid/IwAR3-

5NJDk_CEUxpq_1MYP6g9-j8f08Kqe0kDMMg9sbU3Wyyo8pP-aMbUsz0

Media Engagements of Note

Offutt Air Force Base lab brings closure to Pearl Harbor families

https://news.yahoo.com/offutt-air-force-lab-brings-222455751.html

Reach: 70M

An improved machine learning application for the integration of record systems for missing US 

service members

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41060-020-00236-y

Reach: 23M

Unidentified GIs Who Died in Philippines Returned to Hawaii (via U.S. News & World Report)

Unidentified GIs Who Died in Philippines Returned to Hawaii | Hawaii News | US News

Reach: 35M

Remains of 36 more Korean War service members identified in over a year

https://www.breitbart.com/news/remains-of-36-more-korean-war-service-members-identified-inover-a-year/z

Reach: 9M

Bringing Soldiers Home (via the Cal State Fullerton Titan)

Bringing Soldiers Home (via the Cal State Fullerton Titan) > Defense POW/MIA Accounting 

Agency > In The News (dpaa.mil)

Reach: 50K

Questions & Answers

American Legion: With the new strain of COVID that has made its way to Vietnam, will that 

throw a wrench into future plans?

Answer: We were notified today about a localized COVID outbreak near our planned underwater 

site. As such, we are adjusting our plan and will conduct an underwater recovery at an alternative 

site. We remain optimistic the terrestrial missions will remain on track and that we will be able to 

work around any issues that do develop. We have a robust set of protocols and mitigations in the 

preparatory and mission execution phases to ensure the health and safety of our personnel and those 
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in the host nation. We have shared our plan and received positive feedback from both partner 

nation counterparts and US Embassy leaders. 

Collation of Families: For Korean War identifications, more families are showing interest in 

knowing where the IDs came from --- please designate where they come from. At one point, there 

was confusion on the POW Camps and who controlled them. Has it been determined who 

controlled them and is there any knowledge on POW Camp records?

Answer: We will specify in our releases where the accounted-for individual was lost. In terms of 

the question, the North Koreans controlled US POWs and administered the camps from July 1950 

to October 1951 (with respect to the early part of the war, largely 24th Infantry Division POWs). 

That group was taken over by the Chinese in October 1951. They also controlled US POWs and 

POW Camps for those captured from the Chosin/Kuryong/Chongchon River areas (and the later 

1951-53 US POWs) from January 1951 until the Operation BIG SWITCH releases in the summer 

of 1953. After capture in November and December 1950, some of the Chosin/Kuryong/Chongchon 

River POWs were marched on routes guarded by North Koreans. 

In the 2008 DPMO/PLA Archives base Memorandum of Agreement for archival research, we 

included a standing request for Korean War POW Camp records collections. The PLA has stated in 

most of the annual meetings that those records remain classified or are subject to third party 

approvals with the North Koreans. 

Korea-Cold War Families: Regarding the Singapore Summit agreement, is it over in terms of 

getting back into North Korea? When might you return to full time work in the office vice 

teleworking?

Answer: After the Singapore Summit, North Korea returned the 55 boxes of remains. They are 

still undergoing analysis and 72 US personnel have been identified to date, and we repatriated 80 to 

South Korea. While the Secretary of State separated us from the denuclearization negotiations, and 

we conducted two face-to-face meetings and two messages were passed, unfortunately, the Korean 

People’s Army stopped talking to us in March 2019. We stopped trying to engage because it was 

clear that although the US separated the issues, they inextricably linked them and would not move 

on our issue because the US was not moving on sanctions relief. It is unknown how the new 

administration will handle North Korea. North Korea did sign a Comprehensive Military 

Agreement with the ROK, in which one element was the demining and remains recovery in the 

DMZ. While North Korea has done nothing, South Korea has been very active and successful at 

Arrowhead Ridge. When COVID conditions allow, we are prepared to join them later this FY.

DPAA’s in-office posture all depends on the facility location and positivity rate in that area. We are 

hopeful that improving conditions and vaccinations will enable us to increase our in-office numbers. 

Regardless, work and results are continuing through creative scheduling and remote connectivity. 

Korean War POW/MIA Network: For most who went missing during the war, we learn most 

from the debriefing reports; amazed they have not been copied and put on your website; that would 

be the most important information you could pass to the families.

Answer: The National Archives and Records Administration is the Release Authority for these 

debriefs, not DPAA. The majority of Korean War debriefs are available to private researchers at 
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the National Archives; some with sensitive information are withheld. Our researchers do have 

access to these debriefs, and we have been permitted to extract relevant information where missing 

service members were reported, and this information has been added to the corresponding Case 

Summary that is provided to the family.

National League of Families: For material evidence (ME)/ personal effects (PE), are those 

holdings re-reviewed and are the family members made aware of them? Then are they regularly rereviewed when you get new information? Can the requested policy be published so families know 

the policy?

Answer: When we can attribute PE/ME to a service member we notify the Service Casualty 

Office, who then notify the family, and we return the item to them. There are no Vietnam War 

PE/ME in the Lab that can be attributed to a specific service member.

We did a 100% scrub around 2019 for both the Korean War and Vietnam War ME/PE. We are 

sensitive to new information and do reevaluate any association of the items.

We will work to have an overview of the process and will post it on our website.