DPAA personnel disinterred five caskets from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on May 18 in support of ongoing World War II identification efforts. Each transfer was carried out with solemn care and respect, honoring service members who never returned home. The remains were respectfully transferred to the Daniel K. Inouye DPAA Center of Excellence, where forensic specialists will begin the careful scientific analysis that supports the identification process. This work reflects DPAA’s enduring commitment to provide the fullest possible accounting for the approximately 71,749 U.S. personnel who remain unaccounted for from World War II.
📸 By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Keion Jackson
#DPAA #WWII #NeverForgotten #HonorTheFallen
At the conclusion of Exercise Balikatan 26, DPAA’s underwater recovery team hosted a senior enlisted delegation aboard the USNS Salvor in the Philippines, including @indopacom Command Senior Enlisted Leader Sgt. Maj. Eric Cook and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Sgt. Maj. Joy Kitishima. After recently touring the Daniel K. Inouye DPAA Center of Excellence in Hawaii, Sgt. Maj. Cook said seeing recovery operations firsthand brought DPAA’s mission into full perspective for senior leaders across INDOPACOM and MARFORPAC.
Even while wrapping up recovery operations, the team showcased the coordination, scientific expertise, and partnership that drive DPAA’s mission forward. Engagements like these strengthen understanding of the mission and support future collaboration through exercises like Balikatan.
#DPAA #Philippines #WWII #INDOPACOM @pacificmarines
DPAA personnel gathered at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on May 14 for the interment of U.S. Army Pvt. Condia Lynch Jr., more than 80 years after he died as a prisoner of war during World War II.
Lynch, a member of the 31st Infantry Regiment from Knoxville, Tennessee, was captured following the fall of Corregidor in 1942 and later died at the Cabanatuan POW Camp. Through the continued efforts of DPAA and its partners, his remains were identified using dental, anthropological, isotope, and DNA analysis as part of the Cabanatuan Project.
His interment serves as a solemn reminder of the nation’s enduring commitment to provide the fullest possible accounting for those still missing and to bring long-awaited answers home to their families. #DPAA #NeverForgotten #POWMIA #WWII #CabanatuanProject
The Honorable Anthony J. Tata, Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness, visited the Daniel K. Inouye DPAA Center of Excellence on May 11 to learn more about the agency’s global mission to account for missing U.S. personnel from past conflicts. This marks his first visit to the center in Hawaii since DPAA's realignment under P&R.
During the visit, Mr. Tata toured DPAA laboratories and received an inside look at the scientific and investigative processes used to help identify America’s missing service members. The visit underscored the Department of War’s ongoing commitment to fulfilling the nation’s promise to provide the fullest possible accounting for those who never returned home and the families still awaiting answers.
#DPAA #NeverForgotten #POWMIA #AccountingForTheMissing @deptofwar
Members with @ausaorg visited the Daniel K. Inouye DPAA Center of Excellence on May 12, highlighting the shared commitment between both organizations to honor and support America’s Soldiers, past and present.
During the visit, members toured DPAA laboratories and received an inside look at the agency’s global mission to account for missing U.S. personnel from past conflicts. From advocating for today’s Army to helping preserve the legacy of those who never returned home, the connection between AUSA and DPAA reflects a continued dedication to service, sacrifice, and ensuring no service member is forgotten.
#DPAA #NeverForgotten #AUSA #POWMIA #ArmyStrong
It was an honor to host the Defense Attaché Orientation Program at the Daniel K. Inouye DPAA Center of Excellence. We welcomed 73 foreign guests, representing 44 different countries, providing a unique opportunity to share our facility and global mission on a truly international scale.
During the tour, guests learned about our scientific capabilities and the extensive diplomatic coordination required to achieve the fullest possible accounting of missing personnel. Because our operations span the globe, strong international partnerships and host nation support are absolutely vital to our success.
Engagements like this strengthen the global relationships necessary to navigate complex recovery missions and bring our missing home.
📸 MC2 Grooman
#DPAA #DefenseAttache #InternationalPartnerships #AccountingMission #NeverForget
A DPAA team recently traveled to Lae, Papua New Guinea, to receive a unilateral turnover of possible remains from Mundate Village Chief Muta Fonni, who had safeguarded them since 2015.
This incredible development materialized after a local villager researched the DPAA mission online, prompted by stickers left behind by a previous recovery team. The seamless transfer was made possible by the grassroots advance work of the villagers and our partner from the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG), Mr. Maine Goga, who expertly navigated local laws and explained the vital DPAA and NMAG partnership.
This mission is a prime example of how community outreach, interagency coordination, and strong international partnerships advance our mission to provide the fullest possible accounting of our nation's missing. A special thank you to the U.S. Embassy - Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) for their swift coordination in overcoming local logistical challenges, ensuring our team and partners could safely execute this mission.
DPAA Policy and Plans Director, Steve Hughes, recently had the privilege of engaging with the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets (VTCC) Global Scholars Program. This unique program offers cadets the opportunity to travel abroad and apply history to better understand the complexities of modern international issues—skills that directly align with DPAA's global operations.
The presentation sparked great conversations and generated a lot of interest, with many cadets expressing a desire to work for DPAA in the future. Connecting with these future military and civilian leaders is essential as we build the next generation of professionals dedicated to the fullest possible accounting of our missing personnel.
We look forward to seeing the impact these future leaders will make!
#DPAA #VirginiaTech #GlobalScholars #FutureLeaders #NeverForget
DPAA Detachment Two leadership had the distinct honor of meeting with the Best Defense Foundation and 8 veterans from the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) and attending the Forward Operating Base 4 – Command and Control North (FOB4-CCN) Ceremony at the base of Marble Mountain to honor the sacrifices of 16 MACV-SOG members in Da Nang, Vietnam, on 26 April. For many of these veterans, this visit marked their first return to the country since the war.
The detachment proudly showcased our mission to ensure the fullest possible accounting of our missing personnel. The DPAA team provided the veterans with an overview of how Detachment Two serves as the forward-deployed mission command in Vietnam. Engaging with those who served in these areas serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact they has on the accounting mission.
Standing alongside these service members reinforces our core purpose: to fulfill our nation's promise and finally provide answers to the families of those still missing. We continue to navigate the challenges of time and a changing landscape every day to bring our fallen home. The advocacy and support of these organizations are invaluable to our efforts, thank you!
#DPAA #BestDefenseFoundation #MACVSOG #Vietnam #NeverForget
It was an honor to host Maj. Gen. Christopher J. Sheppard, Director of Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements at Headquarters Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), and members of the PACAF team at the Daniel K. Inouye DPAA Center of Excellence.
As a key partner in our mission, the PACAF team received a firsthand look at our laboratory facilities and a detailed briefing on the scientific capabilities and global operations required to account for missing personnel. Because many of our recovery missions rely on the strategic and logistical support of the Air Force throughout the Indo-Pacific, this visit was a vital opportunity to discuss how we can continue working together to overcome the challenges of operating in remote locations.
Direct collaboration ensures that our teams remain mission-ready and that we continue to fulfill the promise of providing the fullest possible accounting for our missing service members.
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Grooman
#DPAA #PACAF #USAF #AirForce #JointBasePearlHarborHickam #NeverForget
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) personnel disinterred eight caskets from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on May 4 in support of ongoing World War II recovery operations. Each transfer is conducted with the utmost care and respect, honoring those who never returned home.
The remains were then moved to the Daniel K. Inouye DPAA Center of Excellence, where forensic specialists will begin the meticulous scientific analysis that makes identification possible. This mission underscores DPAA’s continued dedication to accounting for the approximately 71,764 U.S. personnel still unaccounted for from World War II.
📸 MC2 Grooman
#DPAA #WWII #POWMIA #NeverForgotten #WW2
We would like to thank the more than 400 family members who joined us in person for our Family Member Update in Detroit this past Saturday, as well as the many more who tuned in virtually. Your presence, both near and far, reflects the enduring commitment to honoring our missing and supporting one another as a community.
Events like these are at the heart of the mission, providing the latest updates on ongoing efforts to achieve the fullest possible accounting. They also serve as a space to connect, share, and continue the promise to never forget those who remain unaccounted for.
We are grateful for the trust you place in this work and remain committed to bringing answers home.
#DPAA #FamilyMemberUpdate #NeverForgotten #Detroit
