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DPAA Families/VSO/MSO Quarterly Call and Update Notes

Tuesday, July 23, 2019, 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.

Families-Veterans-Military Service Organization Participants:

• American Legion

• Coalition of Families

• Disabled American Veterans

• Honor Release Return, Inc. 

• Jewish War Veterans

• Korea-Cold War Families of the Missing

• Korean War Veterans Association 

• National League of POW/MIA Families

• Korean War Accounting Advocate

The agenda includes:

• Director’s Update (Mr. Kelly McKeague) 

• Operations Update (reported on behalf of RDML Kreitz)

• Outreach and Communications Update (Mr. Todd Livick)

• Policy and Plans Update (Mrs. Jennifer Nasarenko)

• Operations Update (Indo-Pac Mr. Stewart Holbrook / Euro-Med COL Brian Pearl)

• Partnerships and Innovations Update (Dr. Tom Holland)

• Scientific Analysis Update (Dr. John Byrd)

• AFMES-AFDIL Update (Dr. Tim McMahon)

• Question & Answer

Director’s Update

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

The POW/MIA mission continues to benefit from the championing and advocacy of the VSOs, as 

well as the tangible support they provide DPAA such as visiting our deployed teams in Vietnam, as 

the VFW did in May; attending military burials; and funding refreshments for families at our 

regional updates. One compelling example of support was the attendance by 40 local VSO 

members at last Thursday evening’s repatriation ceremony of Marines lost on Tarawa. I’m 

privileged to be here in Orlando with the VFW at their National Convention and in multiple sets of 

remarks VFW senior leaders have strongly affirmed their steadfast support to our mission. Later 
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this week, I will speak to the Korean War Veterans Association at their national meeting in 

Arlington, VA. We are grateful for these opportunities to educate VSO members at their events.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)

Although the remains issue was discussed at the second summit in Hanoi, the DPRK military did 

not respond to several requests to meet with us to arrange joint recovery operations. As a result, 

there was insufficient time with which to plan and execute operations this fiscal year (FY). After 

the President’s meeting with Chairman Kim at the DMZ, I sent a letter on July 4 to their military 

seeking to pass our proposal for FY20 operations to them. Although there has been no response to 

date, we stand ready to engage in productive dialogue with them. It’s important to note our State 

Department continues to view this issue as separate from the denuclearization talks.

Budget and Implications

DPAA's FY20 President's Budget request is $146.4M, which includes funding that will be reserved 

for any work in the DPRK, should we reach an arrangement. While Congress and the 

Administration reached a budget agreement to raise the budget caps, eliminate sequestration, and 

significantly reduce the possibility of a lapse in appropriation and a government shutdown, however

there is still a lot of work to be done. When Congress returns from summer recess they still must 

pass the 13 appropriations bills (or Omnibus). The biggest challenge for the upcoming FY will be 

navigating the continuing resolution (CR) periods. A long delay in passage of an appropriations bill 

will likely have a significant impact on operations. 

White House Interest

Both the Office of the Vice President and the National Security Council continue to engage DPAA 

on the POW/MIA issue. The staffs continue to reinforce that the issue is important to both 

President Trump and Vice President Pence. 

National League of Families Annual Meeting

At this year’ Annual Meeting, the National League of Families commemorated their 50th 

Anniversary. Congratulations and thanks to the League for their impactful leadership and steadfast 

commitment to the fullest possible accounting of the missing from our nation’s past conflicts. 

Memorial Day Commemorations

I was privileged to attend ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam War Memorial, 

and Korean War Memorial. In his remarks, Vice President Pence acknowledged the nation’s 

staunch commitment to the POW/MIA mission. At the Vietnam Wall, the speakers were the two 

daughters of Air Force Captain Stephen Rusch who was accounted for 35 years after being shot 

down over Laos; one of them was Air Force Brigadier General Sharon Bannister. And at the 

Korean War Memorial, I participated in a wreath laying for the missing.

Congressional Engagements

Whether through meetings in Washington or visits to our Hawaii facility, DPAA actively engages 

with Congressional staff to educate them on our mission and requirements. The staff delegation 

visits to the lab have proven to be very effective in conveying the scope of our operations and 

importance to families. In conjunction with the Omaha Family Member Update, I was able to meet 

with staffers from the offices of Nebraska’s two senators and three representatives. Not only are 

they committed advocates of our lab in Omaha, but also to the overall mission. 
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Outreach 

We continue to look for innovative and expansive ways to educate audiences about our unique and 

noble mission. One such event was participating in a podcast to the Academy of Diplomacy, an 

association of current and former diplomats. Former Ambassador Charlie Ray, who was also a 

former Director of DPMO, and I were the speakers on an episode of “The General and the 

Ambassador” that focused on the POW/MIA mission and its role in geopolitics and diplomacy 

across the globe. Last Saturday, I spoke at the quarterly luncheon of the Japanese American 

Veterans Association. 

Requirement for Linguists

We have had two important engagements, led by our Principal Deputy Director, Fern Sumpter 

Winbush, with the Defense Language Institute. This organization forecasts and resources foreign 

language requirements for the entire Department of Defense (DoD). We not only educated them on 

DPAA’s extensive utilization of linguists, but also secured their commitment to expand their 

support for linguist augmentees for our worldwide missions. 

Deputy Director for Operations Update

DPAA’s busy summer kicked off in May with our Agency Operations Symposium. Leadership 

from throughout the Agency came together to complete our Strategic Plan for FYs 2020-2025, and 

completed our Operations Plan for the next two FYs to ensure we are doing all we can to increase 

our accounting efforts. If fully funded (subject to pending congressional appropriation action), the 

plan provides for an overall increase in DPAA operations.

At the end of May, I completed a successful engagement visit to Germany and Tunisia. In 

Germany, I met with both the European Command and Africa Command Chiefs of Staff to brief 

them on the DPAA mission and upcoming operations in their respective areas of responsibility. 

Both Commands are 100 percent supportive of our mission and pledged complete support for our 

operations. In Tunisia, I had office calls with Ambassador Blome and Deputy Chief of Mission 

Moeling to provide them an update on DPAA’s upcoming Memorandum of Understanding with the 

Tunisian government to commence disinterment operations at American Battle Monuments 

Commission’s (ABMC) cemetery in Tunis. I also had productive discussions on developing a way 

forward to for the future conduct of field investigations and recoveries. 

At the end of May, I was privileged to take part in several Memorial Day engagements in Hawaii to 

include the Hawaii World War I Centennial Ceremony, and both the Mayor and Governor’s 

ceremonies. 

The month of May ended as DPAA hosted the Acting Secretary of Defense Shanahan at our Hawaii 

Facility and had the chance to spend 45 minutes showcasing DPAA’s solemn mission and talented 

personnel. 

In June, I had the privilege to have been requested by the Mills family to escort the remains of CDR 

James Mills from our laboratory in Hawaii to be reunited with his family in Virginia. The search, 

excavation, recovery, and identification of CDR Mills was one example of the hard work and 

efforts the men and women of the DPAA do on a daily basis. The return of a Missing American to 
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their family is the achievement of our ultimate goal. It was an honor to be part of a ceremony that 

culminated efforts of so many in our Agency and partners.

On July 17, we held an Honorable Carry ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam where we 

solemnly welcomed home 22 transfer cases of remains of missing Americans from the Battle of 

Tarawa. The ceremony included participation from the Commander, United States Marine Forces 

Pacific, LtGen Craparotta, and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and 

Capabilities, Dr. Anderson. These 22 transfer cases are another step toward the goal of accounting 

for the 429 Americans still unaccounted-for from the Battle of Tarawa. 

I received a note from Ambassador Ebert-Gray, U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea (PNG), last 

week that was very complimentary of DPAA's efforts, highlighting not just our positive impact to the 

U.S. mission in PNG, but in the other Oceania Nations we operate in as well. A couple of her 

noteworthy comments include -- We particularly appreciate how DPAA continues to develop 

culturally aware and country-focused teams. This is sensitive work the villagers respect, which 

Captain Hardy (the Team Leader for the mission) and the entire team set a high bar. While your 

work always draws press attention here, I think the most recent team set a new record for resulting 

articles and other coverage country-wide. This is a unique form of people-to-people contact that our 

partner nations remember.

Outreach and Communications 

Family Member Updates (FMU)

On May 18, we hosted an FMU in Omaha, NE, for 111 family members of missing Americans from 

past conflicts, representing 61 losses. Highlights of the FMU included: On Friday, the Agency 

hosted an Offutt Laboratory tour for 41 family members. The tour was extremely well received and 

appreciated by the attending families. Staff members for Senators Fisher and Representatives Bacon 

attended the FMU. The American Legion provided refreshments for the families.

Our next Family Update will be on September 7, 2019, in Dayton, OH.

National League of POW/MIA Families 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting

This year’s Annual Meeting marked five decades of League efforts to account as fully as possible 

for America’s Vietnam War unreturned veterans; 270 family members representing 157 losses 

attended. Of note, on Friday, June 21, DPAA hosted 210 family members for a Pentagon Courtyard 

Reception that included music by the Navy’s Country Current band, and a tour of the recently 

refreshed POW/MIA Corridor. The VFW and the DAV provided refreshments for the families, and 

Acting Secretary of Defense Norquist greeted families.

Korean/Cold War Annual Government Briefings (August 1-2, 2019)

As of July 22, we have over 570 family members, representing 257 losses attending the K/CW. 

Highlights this year include a Twilight Tattoo at Joint Base Meyer-Henderson Hall on July 31, and 

an August 1 evening dinner hosted by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Patriots and Veterans 

Affairs. We are pleased the South Korean Deputy Minister of National Defense and the new 

MAKRI (Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA [Killed in Action] Recovery and 

Identification) Commander will attend. 
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Exemplar of Strong Community Support

On Saturday, June 29, two accounted-for servicemen were laid to rest in Wyoming – a Sailor lost in 

WWII and a Soldier in the Korean War. After his remains arrived at Denver International Airport 

until his interment in Laramie, Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Hanson was honored or escorted by 41 

local, state, and federal agencies; the Navy assigned RDML Kreitz as its senior representative at the 

burial. In Kaycee, whose population is 260, over 700 attended the burial of Corporal Kirtley 

including the Wyoming Governor, who also declared flags be flown half-staff statewide in honor of 

the servicemen’s return. Both homecomings exemplify the incredible community support afforded 

to the accounted-for.

Media Engagements of Note:

May 3: "They vowed to be friends for life. When one died at war, the other fought years to bring him 

home"

https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-veteran-remains-20190503-htmlstory.html

May 9: "Remains of 2 more US service members identified from North Korea"

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/28/politics/us-service-members-remains-identified-north-koreawar/index.html

June 13: "Remains identified as Palmer, Mass., man killed in attack on Pearl Harbor"

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/06/13/remains-identified-palmer-mass-man-killed-attackpearl-harbor/qWrGDJ3s65uZbojqaOq6vK/story.html

June 25: Motorcade for recently ID'd Pearl Harbor sailor to pass through Larimer County

https://army.deps.mil/netcom/sites/GEARS/Live/web/Packet.aspx?pID=1300522

July 19: Remains of more than 20 American service members killed in bloody WWII battle return 

home

https://www.foxnews.com/us/wwii-remains-battle-tarawa-return-to-us

Upcoming VSO Conventions:

Korean War Veterans Association – July 25-28, Arlington, Virginia

Disabled American Veterans – August 3-6 in Orlando, Florida

American Legion National Convention – August 23-29 in Indianapolis, Indiana

National POW/MIA Recognition Day – September 20, 2019

This year’s poster can be ordered on our website: https://www.dpaa.mil/Families/Posters.aspx
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Policy and Plans

DMZ Demining and South Korea Remains Recovery

Based on open source data, the South Koreans resumed demining operations and are conducting 

remains recovery operations in the Arrowhead Ridge area. To date, they have reported to have 

recovered more than 400 bone fragments as well as two skeletons. We are not aware any U.S. 

remains have been recovered by the South Koreans from this operation. DPRK has not yet 

participated in this effort per the Inter-Korea Military Agreement and they stopped observing the 

work a few months ago.

DPAA Services FRS Engagement

DPAA continues to move a Family Reference Sample (FRS) initiative forward within DoD focused 

on increasing the number of FRSs collected each year. This requires assistance of multiple 

departments within DoD for additional funding and resource allocation beyond current levels. The 

Director recently met with senior officials from the Services and OSD Personnel and Readiness to 

advocate for this initiative. Current and surge level capacity was discussed to scope the opportunity 

at hand to double FRS collection over the next 5-10 years (primarily WWII cases).

Recoverable - Updated Number (~38,000) and the Process

DPAA recently updated the approximate number of recoverable individuals from 34,000 to 38,000

unaccounted-for. We use a case categorization system and an ongoing review process to manage 

case progress and keep track of the recoverable cases. Each individual’s file is updated and 

maintained by assigned DPAA analysts. Cases are reviewed and sorted in one of the following 

categories: under review, active pursuit, deferred, or non-recoverable. These analytical reviews are 

updated so family members and other stakeholders are kept informed of the status.

Field Operations Overview

Europe-Mediterranean (EM) Region

May-Jul Operations: During this period, we conducted five investigations and wrapped up two 

recovery missions. Activities occurred in Croatia, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, 

Panama, and Kuwait. Two additional recovery missions in England and Italy, and an investigation 

mission to Austria, will begin in the next few days. In addition, investigation and recovery work 

conducted by partners has occurred in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Greece, Malta, 

and the Adriatic Sea.

Aug-Sep Operations: Over the next two months, the investigation and recovery missions initiated at 
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the end of July will conclude, and we’ll conduct additional field work in Hungary, Germany, France, 

Italy, and Russia. Additional partner investigations and recoveries will occur in Germany, Belgium, 

Poland, Lithuania, and Italy.

May-Jul Disinterment Operations: 34 disinterments were scheduled to occur in June and July at 8 

different ABMC cemeteries in France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Italy. July also saw the 

disinterments of the first 16 Unknowns from Ardennes American Cemetery, associated with the Ploesti 

Project. Two more Ploesti Unknowns were disinterred from Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery. 

Disinterments from other ABMC cemeteries included Unknowns from Operation MARKET 

GARDEN; air losses from Austria, Germany, and France; and ground combat casualties from France

and Sicily.

Aug-Sep Disinterment Operations: In August, an additional 16 Ploesti Unknowns will be 

disinterred, bringing the total to 34 disinterred out of 71 Unknowns associated with the project. The 

final 37 Ploesti Unknowns will be disinterred as scheduled in FY20. August will also see DPAA 

meet its Europe goal of 75 disinterments for the first time. In September, pending approvals, DPAA

will exceed that goal through continuing operations at Suresnes American Cemetery and Lorraine 

American Cemetery. We are grateful to the U.S. Army Mortuary Europe/Africa and ABMC, whose 

teams perform the actual disinterments and shelter the disinterred remains prior to transport to 

DPAA’s Offutt laboratory. Their contributions are crucial to our success in conducting disinterments 

in Europe.

U.S. – Russia Joint Commission (USRJC) Update

Representatives from the U.S. and Russian Sides of the USRJC participated in technical talks for 

the Vietnam and World War II Working Groups on 21 June. Summarized minutes of both 

meetings will be posted to the DPAA website. Highlights from the WWII talks included initial 

planning for a site investigation of a WWII B-24 bomber on the Kamchatka Peninsula in 2020, as 

well as the Russian Side providing documents related to forced landings of Allied aircraft in the 

Soviet Far East. The Vietnam War technical talks featured discussions on better ways for the U.S. 

Side to request and receive archival documents related to the Vietnam War, as well as the Russian 

Side providing additional records including reports of 1967-70 aerial battles. Planning continues 

for technical talks for the Korean and Cold War Working Groups to be held in Moscow in 

November 2019. DPAA’s Joint Commission Support Division is working with the U.S. Embassy 

in Moscow to renew our contract for our three Moscow-based researchers to continue their work in 

Russian archives on a monthly basis. We anticipate a successful conclusion to the process and no 

disruption to our archival work.

Indo-Pacific (IP) Region

May-Jul Operations: During this period, we conducted six missions across Laos, Vietnam, China, 

South Korea and Papua New Guinea. Noteworthy progress was made in Papua New Guinea where 

the mission team leader was able to coordinate closely with the US Embassy's Public Diplomacy 

Office, setting up radio and newspaper interviews to inform the local and national population of our 

mission. Additionally, our History Flight, Inc. partner continued work in Tarawa in “Row D” of 
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Cemetery 33 which resulted in a large Repatriation Ceremony on July 17; we expect them to 

recover 11 more sets of remains.

 

Vietnam War missions concluded four total Joint Field Activities (JFAs) at the beginning of this 

period. Our JFA in Laos 4 March-10 April consisted of one Investigative Team (IT) and three 

Recovery Teams (RT). If you recall from the last update, our JFA in Vietnam 19 February-9 April 

consisted of three ITs and six RTs. This was the largest JFA conducted in Vietnam to date, with the 

increased pace and scope of operations made possible by a $10 million add from Congress for 

Vietnam War recovery efforts. We have also recently concluded two missions. We sent another JFA 

to Laos 3 May-17 June which consisted of two RTs, and a JFA in Vietnam 7 May-23 June that 

consisted of two ITs and six RTs, keeping pace with our previous JFA in Vietnam in both size and 

scope. 

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

26 April-10 June, which consisted of one IT and one RT that brought back over ten sets of remains. 

We also had an IT working multiple sites across South Korea 1 April -3 May and an IT in China 5-

18 May that surveyed two ground loss sites and coordinated for archive access. We initiated two 

concurrent missions to the Solomon Islands 7 June-11 August, with the first consisting of one IT 

and two RTs and the second comprised of an Underwater IT. Finally, an RT assessed and evaluated 

newly discovered historical records in Guam 11-17 May, and an Underwater RT recovered at least 

one set of remains on Palau 15 Apr-17 May.

Aug-Sep Operations: We currently have planned operations through September, which include 

JFAs in Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea. We will also conduct 

Technical Consultation (coordination meetings for future operations) in September with our 

counterparts from Laos and Vietnam. 

We are concluding this period with a JFA to Laos 19 Jul-26 August with three RTs and another one

to Vietnam from 02 Aug to 17 September with two ITs and four RT. 

Our WWII, Korean War, and Cold War Indo-Pacific missions will include a JFA to Papua New 

Guinea 9 August-23 September which will consist of multiple investigations and one RT that will 

be working sites across the eastern and northern parts of the country. We are continuing History 

Flight recovery operations in Tarawa through the end of this quarter and beyond. Additionally, we 

are continuing recovery and investigative efforts in the Solomon Islands though 11 August. Finally, 

we will have an Underwater RT mission in Kwajalein 20 Sep-9 October, and two Underwater ITs to 

Saipan 1-28 July.

Disinterment Operations

Twenty-four exhumations were conducted at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific 

(Punchbowl) in Hawaii over the past three months, of which 23 represented the beginning of Phase 

Two of the Korean War Disinterment Project; the twenty-fourth exhumation was from WWII. 

There are an additional 94 Korean War Unknowns remaining in Phase Two (117 total), which will 

carry us into the new FY. Of note, Congressman Greg Pence (R-IN), older brother of the Vice 

President and a former Marine, heard about our July 1 disinterment ceremony and attended along 

with his family. 
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Exhumations in the Manila American Cemetery & Monument in the Philippines are currently on 

hold due to the Philippines monsoon season and will resume in the fall as soon as conditions are dry 

enough to continue. Currently, the next Manila exhumation is scheduled for the late November 

timeframe and it will consist of around twenty-five Unknowns, mainly originating from the 

Cabanatuan POW Camp. 

Partnerships & Innovation (PI) Update

PI helped coordinate 11 field missions that partners commenced in the third quarter FY19. Seven of 

these were with universities and four with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These missions 

included terrestrial and underwater sites in countries such as Germany, Greece, and Palau. Four of 

the five recovery teams recovered possible human remains; the fifth team did not complete its 

recovery but did recover a dog tag for one of the missing men. Similarly, all six investigative teams 

had success and located sites for future recoveries. The PI team also continued to plan and coordinate 

missions for the remainder of an ambitious year’s worth of activity, which at this time includes an 

additional 14 planned missions.

In the third quarter, working with other staff sections, PI hosted 9 partner personnel (representing 7 

partner institutions) at our third session of the DPAA Academy. PI has spent the last quarter further 

expanding the bench of partners by negotiating partnership arrangements and engaging in 

partnership development activities. The list of partners conducting collaborative projects for this FY 

represents a mixture of repeat performers, such as East Carolina University and the University of 

Illinois at Chicago, as well as new relationships like Kiel University. 

Finally, PI has been involved in extensive planning and preparations for partnership activities in 

FY20. We are attempting to expand the partnership footprint by sending partner teams to new 

countries, such as Cambodia, or by increasing the numbers and types of projects we conduct with 

partners.

Scientific Analysis (SA) Update

FY 2019 Identifications 

Total = 121 (identifications ofunaccounted-forpersonnel)

WWII = 87 (Made 200th ID from USS Oklahoma last February. Made 100th ID from Tarawa this 

summer.)

Korean War = 29 (surpassed 500th ID this summer. Making final reports for more K55 IDs this summer. 

Korea disinterments on Monday.)

Vietnam War = 5 (Anticipate more before the end of the FY)

Our Cases for Identification List—the master list that dictates all final reports in anticipation of new 

identifications—currently has more than 80 individuals on it and it is still growing. We anticipate 

another very productive year for identifications and accounting. 
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Installation of isotope lab analytical systems began last week. The equipment being set up will 

permit us to do the analysis of thousands of stable isotope samples per year. We will focus on 

Carbon, Nitrogen, and Oxygen for the first year. These tests will offer a fast, low cost method for

separating U.S. remains from foreign nationals prior to DNA testing, and support identifications 

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

to have the isotope lab fully accredited by Christmas.

AFMES-AFDIL Update

Korea 55 remains: AFMES received 505 samples by the first week of October 2018. A single team 

of scientists was assigned to process the 505 samples. In 9 months, all samples have been 

completed for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing and reported to DPAA. Currently,

AFMES is completing additional testing on samples for segregation and writing DNA reports for 

identifications.c Of the 505 we have performed autosomal STR and YSTR testing on 170 samples.

AFMES-AFDIL is increasing capability and scope to meet the families and DPAA needs. Towards 

this end, AFMES-AFDIL is on track to report out 3,400 analyses this year, a 400 analysis increase 

over previous years. This will be accomplished with existing staff and budget.

AFMES-AFDIL has worked with its parent organization, the Defense Health Agency (DHA), to 

expand its budget to increase personnel, instruments, and reagents to grow to support more than

6,000 analyses by 2023.

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS): AFMES is starting the forensic validation of its new NGS 

instruments, which will allow the analysis of 48 samples at time, a 4-fold increase over current 

instrument capabilities.

Year to date

2,769 analysis reported

128 first-time named Believe-to-Be reports (supports new identification)

YSTR and auSTR success rates greater than 60%

mtDNA success rates greater than 92%

NGS success rates 60%

Questions and Answers

Coalition of Families: 

Question: Will the Korean War/Cold War Annual meeting be broadcast online? Answer: We will 

be broadcasting the meeting on Facebook Live and it will also be archived there as well for later 

viewing. The Facebook link can be found on the DPAA homepage at www.dpaa.mil.

Question: In the past, the Korean People’s Army (KPA) operated independently; do you believe 

they can act independently today like DPAA can? Answer: No, although we have been cleared by 
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Secretary of State Pompeo to delink the remains issue from other issues such as denuclearization and 

to deal directly with the KPA on it, it is very clear the DPRK sees their cooperation on accounting as 

linked to the nuclear issue and sanctions, so the KPA does not have the latitude to engage with us.

Question: In FY19, DPAA received $20 million (M) for Korean War accounting, correct?

Answer: Last summer, the House of Representatives passed two amendments to its version of the 

Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2019 that would transfer a total of $20M to DPAA. The floor 

debate on the amendments indicated the intent of the program increase was to provide additional 

funding for DPAA’s efforts to account for personnel missing in the DPRK. The final conference 

report accompanying the enacted Defense Appropriations for FY 2019 only designated this $20M 

program increase for unspecified operations. 

DPAA fully intended and planned to use this program increase to support field operations in the 

DPRK and held funding in reserve until all communication efforts with DPRK failed to result in an 

arrangement to conduct field operations in FY 2019. In late April 2019, DPAA reallocated the 

$20M to support other critical operational and operational support requirements for the Agency. 

Question: Do you have results from the Korea IT missions you mentioned in the Indo-Pac 

Operations update? 

Answer: The IT identified sites for future excavations. No remains were discovered by the IT.

Korean War Veterans Association: When was the last time you heard directly from the KPA? 

Answer: We last had a face-to-face, working level meeting with the KPA in December 2018. Our 

last communication from them was March 2019. At present, they are not responding to us, the 

United Nations Command, or the South Koreans. 

Question: Can you update us on the Korean War FRS percentage?

Answer: Of the original 8,100 Korean War unaccounted-for, we have 92% FRS on file. For the 

other conflicts, we have 85% for the Vietnam War, 85% for the Cold War, and while we have 6% of 

the original 73,000 from WWII, we have 12% of the believed-to-be recoverable from WWII.

Korean War Advocate: What role does the United Nations Command play in the accounting 

mission? Answer: Under the Armistice, they have the lead for the repatriation of any remains 

associated with the Korean War. As an example, the K-55 remains were passed to the UNC at 

Wonsan last July, but after DPAA’s initial forensic review at Osan Air Base, they were flown to 

Honolulu, draped in U.S. flags, and accessioned into our laboratory. DoD has the lead for all joint 

field operations in-country and through DPAA, conducts all negotiations for those operations. In 

these matters, UNC’s role is only to pass communications to the KPA in support of our mission. 

Next scheduled call is Thursday October 24 at 2 p.m. Eastern