Update

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES

OF AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

1005 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, SUITE 170, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22201

PH (703) 465-7432 www.powmialeague.org FAX (703) 465-7433

POW/MIA Update: October 2, 2008

AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: There are 1,749 US personnel still listed by the Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. Listed as MIA in SVN on 5-18-71, the remains of Sgt. Timothy J. Jacobsen, USA, from CA, were recovered 6-7-95 and identified 3-24-08. The remains US Air Force officers Captain James E. Cross of Ohio and Captain Gomer D. Reese, III, of NY, were recovered 4-9-07 and identified 7-18-08. Both were listed as KIA/BNR in Laos on April 24, 1970. The accounting for these three brought to 834 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. 90+% of the 1,749 still missing and unaccounted-for were in Vietnam or areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.

PRESIDENT ADDRESSES VFW – AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO POW/MIA ACCOUNTING: On August 20th, in Orlando, FL, President Bush repeated his longstanding commitment to continue priority accounting efforts. As part of his address, after noting passage of “a GI Bill for the 21st century,” he stated, “We also owe something to your brothers-in-arms who never returned home. We will always cherish the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will never stop searching until we can account for every missing soldier, sailor, airman, Coast Guardsman, and Marine.” Due to long-standing support and involvement, there obviously was applause from VFW members attending their national convention. Resolutions considered and passed that pertain to the POW/MIA issue are available from the VFW or from the League’s national office.

20-YEAR ASSESSMENT OF US-SRV COOPERATION & TECHNICAL TALKS HELD: Ambassador Charles Ray, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs, hosted Vietnamese officials in Hawaii on September 17th for a one-day assessment of the last 20 years of POW/MIA accounting cooperation. (Though bilateral negotiations started in earnest in 1983, and the first joint excavation was conducted in North Vietnam in 1985, regularly scheduled field operations began in 1988, increasing once the Joint Task Force-Full Accounting (JTF-FA) was formed in 1992. JTF-FA evolved into the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, or JPAC, in 2003, merging with the former Central Identification Laboratory, or CIL, at that time.) US participants included JPAC Commander RADM Donna Crisp, USN, new JPAC Deputy Commander COL John Sullivan, USMC, new Detachment 2 Commander LTC Todd Emoto, USA, and several other senior DPMO and JPAC officials. At the invitation of the JPAC Commander, League Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths also participated in the first session and associated social events. The head of the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) Ambassador Nguyen Van Dao led the nine-member Vietnamese delegation, comprised of officials form the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Public Security, many of whom were long known to the League Executive Director and some US officials.

The 20-year Assessment followed the twice yearly US-SRV Technical Talks, hosted on September 16th by RADM Crisp to review the recently concluded 92nd Joint Field Activity (JFA) and plans for the 93rd and 94th JFAs. The latter is scheduled to include the first ever use in accounting efforts of a US Navy hydrographic survey vessel.

UPDATE ON JPAC OPERATIONS: The 92nd Joint Field Activity (JFA) in Vietnam begun June 11th ended with the August 9th return of one Recovery Team (RT) that was extended for several days in an effort to complete excavation at one site. A brief ceremony, attended by US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak, was held prior to the earlier redeployment of the JPAC teams to honor five US personnel whose remains may be among those recovered and repatriated. The 45-day work period included five RTs, one Phase Two Testing Team (P2T), one Investigation Team (IT), one Underwater Investigation Team (UIT), one Research and Investigation Team (RIT) and one Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) unilateral recovery team in a restricted area where US personnel are not allowed.

According to press reports, the “blood chit” of Major Bobby M. Jones, USAF, was discovered at a site believed to be the location of the downed F4 in which he was listed as MIA. While such information is not routinely available this quickly, Major Jones’ sister, League Board Chairman Jo Anne Shirley, publicly commented on these details as being a source of great relief to her and her family. The next 45 day JFA in Vietnam is scheduled for October 18th to December 1st.

In Laos, working level POW/MIA talks recently took place in Vientiane. Led by LTC Brandt Deck, USA, Detachment 3 Commander, the talks included JPAC headquarters and DPMO officials. The 105th JFA in Laos extended over a 30-day period and concluded at the end of July. Five RTs operated in northern Laos, in Houaphan and Xiengkhoang Provinces. Joint field operations are scheduled to resume In Laos on October 18th, ending on November 20th.

Two Recovery Teams (RTs) recently concluded operations in Germany and France, and an Underwater Investigation Team (UIT) completed its mission in Newfoundland, Canada. In South Korea, an IT deployed on September 6th and has now concluded operations. Also in Europe, a JPAC anthropologist recently completed assisting the US Army Mortuary Affairs Activity-Europe in the disinterment of US remains from the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium. These unknown remains were sent to JPAC’s laboratory in Hawaii for forensic analysis.

NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY – SEPTEMBER 19, 2008: The number of ceremonies across the country, as well as at US Embassies in Southeast Asia, was impossible to track accurately, but there were thousands. The national ceremony was held at the Pentagon, hosted by Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff LTG General James E. Cartwright, USMC. The guest speaker was U.S. Representative Ike Skelton (D-MO), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. A multi-service flyover of fixed wing aircraft and Army helicopters completed the program. The 2008 poster was unveiled at the League’s 39th Annual Meeting and distributed in limited number, but is still available to the general public by calling 703-699-1131. A second way to order is to visit the DPMO web site at www.dtic.mil/dpmo and look at the link on the home page with instructions on how to order. The posters were ordered in large and small sizes.

COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN (CFC): The League has been certified as having successfully met the stringent criteria for the 2008 campaign. Our official number is the same as last year, #10218, assigned by the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Washington, DC. The League is the ONLY nonprofit organization representing American POW/MIAs, KIA/BNRs and their families eligible for donations through CFC & United Way. Despite the reality of many competing charities and much need, especially in a time of war, the League is proud of our eligibility, due to tough requirements that must be met and is in urgent need of tax-deductible donations. The League is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt, non-profit organization; Federal Tax ID #23-7071242.

PLAN NOW TO ATTEND THE 40TH ANNUAL MEETING JULY 22-25, 2009: Next year’s annual meeting promises to be special in many ways, including commemoration of over 35 years since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, and 40 years since the League was formed May 28, 1970. Governmental transitions are taking place, and there will be much to discuss and decide in terms of the League’s and the issue’s future. Importantly, it will also be the first year of a new administration. Any such political turmoil brings with it many changes in leadership and focus that, hopefully, will benefit the issue, but require close attention and actions by all members and supporters, especially our major national veterans organizations. Please do your part and start planning now to participate, arriving early if possible to call on Members of Congress and visit meaningful sites in Washington BEFORE the important sessions start on Thursday, July 23rd. The Secretary of Defense (whomever that may be) is expected to authorize COIN Assist transportation.

POW/MIA Update: September 25, 2008

AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: There are now 1,749 US personnel listed by the Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. Listed as MIA in SVN on 5-18-71, the remains of Sgt. Timothy J. Jacobsen, USA, from CA, were recovered 6-7-95 and identified 3-24-08. The remains Captain James E. Cross of Ohio and Captain Gomer D. Reese, III, of NY, were recovered 4-9-07 and identified 7-18-08. Both US Air Force officers were listed as KIA/BNR in Laos on April 24, 1970. The accounting for these three brought to 834 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. 90+% of the 1,749 still listed as missing and unaccounted-for were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.

US participants included JPAC Commander RADM Donna Crisp, new JPAC Deputy Commander COL John Sullivan, USMC, the new Detachment 2 Commander LTC Todd Emoto, USA, plus several other senior DPMO and JPAC officials. At the invitation of the JPAC Commander, League Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths also participated in the first session and associated social events. The head of the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) Ambassador Dao led the nine-member Vietnamese interagency delegation, many of whom were long known to the League Executive Director and some US officials.

The 20-year Assessment Meeting followed the twice yearly US-SRV Technical Talks that were hosted on September 16th by RADM Crisp to review the recently concluded 92nd Joint Field Activity (JFA) and plans for the 93rd and 94th JFAs, the latter scheduled to include the first ever use in accounting efforts of a US Navy hydrographic survey vessel.

The 45-day work period included five RTs, one Phase Two Testing Team (P2T), one Investigation Team (IT), one Underwater Investigation Team (UIT), one Research and Investigation Team (RIT) and one Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) unilateral recovery team in a restricted area where US personnel are not allowed. According to press reports, the “blood chit” of Major Bobby M. Jones, USAF, was discovered at a site believed to be the location of the downed F4 in which he was listed as MIA. While such information is not routinely available this quickly, Major Jones’ sister, League Board Chairman Jo Anne Shirley, publicly commented on these details as being a source of great relief to her and her family. The next 45 day JFA in Vietnam is scheduled for October 18th to December 1st.

In Laos, working level POW/MIA talks recently took place in Vientiane. Led by LTC Brandt Deck, USA Special Forces, Detachment 3 Commander, the talks included officials from JPAC headquarters and DPMO. The 105th JFA in Laos extended over a 30-day period and concluded at the end of July. Five RTs operated in northern Laos, in Houaphan and Xiengkhoang Provinces. Joint field operations are scheduled to resume In Laos on October 18th, ending on November 20th.

Two Recovery Teams (RTs) recently concluded operations in Germany and France, and an Underwater Investigation Team (UIT) was scheduled to complete a mission in Newfoundland, Canada. In South Korea, an IT deployed on September 6th and was to conclude operations today, September 25th. Also in Europe, a JPAC anthropologist recently completed assisting the US Army Mortuary Affairs Activity-Europe in the disinterment of US remains from the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium. These unknown remains were sent to JPAC’s laboratory in Hawaii for forensic analysis.

NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY – SEPTEMBER 19, 2008: The number of ceremonies across the country, as well as at US Embassies in Southeast Asia, was impossible to track accurately, but there were thousands. The national ceremony was held at the Pentagon, hosted by Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff LTG General James E. Cartwright, USMC. The guest speaker was U.S. Representative Ike Skelton (D-MO), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. A multi-service flyover of fixed wing aircraft and Army helicopters completed the program. The 2008 poster was unveiled at the League’s 39th Annual Meeting and distributed in limited number, but is still available to the general public by calling 703-699-1131. A recording will inform the caller of information needed to prompt a shipment of posters. A second way to order is to visit the DPMO web site at www.dtic.mil/dpmo and look at the link on the home page with instructions on how to order. There are still some 2007 posters, and ordering is the same. Reportedly, the posters were again ordered in both the large and small sizes.

Governmental transitions are taking place, and there will be much to discuss and decide in terms of the League’s and the issue’s future. Importantly, it will also be the first year of a new administration. Any such political turmoil brings with it many changes in leadership and focus that, hopefully, will benefit the issue, but require close attention and actions by all members.

Please do your part and start planning now to participate, arriving early if possible to call on Members of Congress and visit meaningful sites in Washington BEFORE the important sessions start on Thursday, July 23rd. COIN Assist transportation is anticipated.

CHECK THE LEAGUE’S UPDATED WEB SITE

www.POWMIALeague.org, www.POWMIALeague.com, www.pow-miafamilies.org

POW/MIA Update: September 11, 2008

AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: There are now 1,752 US personnel listed by the Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. The remains of Captain Lorenza Conner, USAF, listed as MIA on October 27, 1967, were repatriated Defember 4, 2007 and identified May 2, of this year, just recently announced. It was previously announced that the remains of Col David H. Zook, USAF, listed as MIA October 4, 1967, were recovered June 18, 1992, identified on May 23, 2008, and also just recently announced. By DPMO. Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Manuel R. Denton, USN, listed as KIA/BNR October 8, 1963, was buried as part of a group on August 7th at Arlington National Cemetery. The remains of WO 1st Class Arthur F. Chaney, USA, and WO 2nd Class Bobby L. McKain, USAR, both listed as KIA/BNR in South Vietnam on May 3, 1968, were turned over to US officials by a US citizen on June 11, 1985, identified on March 11th 2008, and recently released by DPMO as identified. The remains of SGT Timothy J. Jacobsen, USA, listed as MIA April 16, 1971 in South Vietnam were recovered June 7, 1995 and identified March 24, 2008, announced by DPMO as identified on July 28, 2008. The accounting for these five US personnel brought to 831 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. 90+% of the 1,752 still listed as missing and unaccounted-for were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.

20-YEAR ASSESSMENT OF US-SRV COOPERATION & TECHNICAL TALKS TO BE HELD: Ambassador Charles Ray, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs, will host Vietnamese officials in Hawaii on September 17th for a one-day assessment of the last 20 years of POW/MIA accounting cooperation. (As background, though bilateral negotiations started in earnest in 1983, and the first joint excavation was conducted in North Vietnam in 1985, regularly scheduled field operations began in 1988, increasing once the Joint Task Force-Full Accounting (JTF-FA) was formed in 1992. JTF-FA evolved into the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) in 2003, merging with the former Central Identification Laboratory (CIL) at that time.) US participants will include JPAC Commander RADM Donna Crisp, new JPAC Deputy Commander COL John Sullivan, USMC, new Detachment 2 Commander LTC Todd Emoto, USA, plus several other senior DPMO and JPAC officials. The head of the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) Ambassador Dao will lead Vietnam’s interagency delegation. The 20-year Assessment Meeting will follow the twice yearly Technical Talks that will be hosted on September 16th by RADM Crisp, reviewing the recently concluded 92nd Joint Field Activity (JFA), and planning for the 93rd and 94th JFA, the latter scheduled to include the first ever use of a US Navy hydrographic survey vessel on accounting efforts.

The 45-day work period included five RTs, one Phase Two Testing Team (P2T), one Investigation Team (IT), one Underwater Investigation Team (UIT), one Research and Investigation Team (RIT) and one Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) unilateral recovery team in a restricted area where US personnel are not allowed. According to press reports, the “blood chit” of Major Bobby M. Jones, USAF, was discovered at a site believed to be the location of the downed F4 in which he was listed as MIA. While such information is not routinely available this quickly, Major Jones’ sister, League Board Chairman Jo Anne Shirley, made public comments about these details as being a source of great relief to her family.

In Laos, working level POW/MIA talks recently took place in Vientiane. Led by Detachment III Commander LTC Brandt Deck, USA Special Forces, the talks included officials from JPAC headquarters in Hawaii and DPMO in Washington, DC. The 105th JFA in Laos extended over a 30-day period and concluded at the end of July. Five RTs operated in northern Laos, in Houaphan and Xiengkhoang Provinces. In Europe, a JPAC anthropologist recently completed assisting the US Army Mortuary Affairs Activity-Europe in the disinterment of US remains from the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium. These unknown remains were sent to JPAC’s laboratory in Hawaii for forensic analysis.

NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY – SEPTEMBER 19, 2008: This year’s official date will again be on the third Friday in September, and the national ceremony will be held on that date. The 2008 poster was unveiled at the League’s 39th Annual Meeting and distributed there in limited number, but is available to the general public by calling 703-699-1131. A recording will inform the caller on information needed to prompt a shipment of posters. A second way to order is to visit the DPMO web site at www.dtic.mil/dpmo and look at the link on the home page with instructions on how to order posters. There are still some 2007 posters left, and the ordering requirement is the same. Per DPMO, the posters were again ordered in both the large and small sizes.

PLAN NOW TO ATTEND THE 40TH ANNUAL MEETING JULY 22-25, 2009: Next year’s annual meeting promises to be special in many ways, including commemorating over 35 years since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, and over 40 years since the League was formed May 28, 1970. Transitions are taking place, and there will be much to discuss and decide in terms of the League’s and the issue’s future. Importantly, it will also be the first year of a new administration. Any such political turmoil brings with it many changes in leadership and focus that, hopefully, will benefit the issue, but require close attention and actions by all members. Please do your part and start planning now to participate, arriving early if possible to call on Members of Congress and visit meaningful sites in Washington BEFORE the important sessions start on Thursday, July 23rd. COIN Assist transportation is anticipated.

The League is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt, non-profit organization; Federal Tax ID #23-7071242

CHECK THE LEAGUE’S UPDATED WEB SITE

www.POWMIALeague.org, www.POWMIALeague.com, www.pow-miafamilies.org

POW/MIA Update: August 28, 2008

AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: There are now 1,753 US personnel listed by the Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. The remains of Col David H. Zook, USAF, listed as MIA October 4, 1967, were recovered June 18, 1992, identified on May 23, 2008, and the ID was just released by DPMO. Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Manuel R. Denton, USN, listed as KIA/BNR October 8, 1963, was buried as part of a group on August 7th at Arlington National Cemetery. The remains of WO 1st Class Arthur F. Chaney, USA, and WO 2nd Class Bobby L. McKain, USAR, both listed as KIA/BNR in South Vietnam on May 3, 1968, were turned over to US officials by a US citizen on June 11, 1985, identified on March 11th 2008, and recently released by DPMO as identified. The remains of SGT Timothy J. Jacobsen, USA, listed as MIA April 16, 1971 in South Vietnam were recovered June 7, 1995 and identified March 24, 2008, announced by DPMO as identified on July 28, 2008. The accounting for these four US personnel brought to 829 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. 90+% of the 1,754 still listed as missing and unaccounted-for were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.

UPDATE ON JPAC OPERATIONS: The 92nd Joint Field Activity (JFA) in Vietnam begun June 11th recently ended following the August 9th return of one Recovery Team (RT) that was extended for several days in an effort to complete excavation at one site. A brief ceremony, attended by US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak, was held prior to the earlier redeployment of the JPAC teams to honor five US personnel whose remains may be among those recovered and repatriated. The 45-day work period included five RTs, one Phase Two Testing Team (P2T), one Investigation Team (IT), one Underwater Investigation Team (UIT), one Research and investigation Team (RIT) and one Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) unilateral recovery team in a restricted area where US personnel are not allowed. According to press reports, the “blood chit” of Major Bobby M. Jones, USAF, was discovered at a site believed to be the location of the downed F4 in which he was listed as MIA. While such information is not routinely available this quickly, Major Jones’ sister, League Board Chairman Jo Anne Shirley, made public comments about these details as being a source of great relief to her and to her mother, Christine Jones.

In Laos, working level POW/MIA talks took place in Vientiane. Led by Detachment III Commander LTC Brandt Deck, USA Special Forces, the talks included officials from JPAC headquarters in Hawaii and DPMO in Washington, DC. The 105th JFA in Laos extended over a 30-day period and concluded at the end of July. Five RTs operated in northern Laos, in Houaphan and Xiengkhoang Provinces. In Europe, a JPAC anthropologist recently completed assisting the US Army Mortuary Affairs Activity-Europe in the disinterment of US remains from the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium. These unknown remains were sent to JPAC’s laboratory in Hawaii for forensic analysis.

CONGRESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: POW/MIA hearings were held by the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel July 10th to obtain Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) and JPAC testimony from Ambassador Charlie Ray and RADM Donna Crisp, USN. (Copies of the testimony are available by phone or email request to the League.) The League supports oversight by the House and Senate Armed Services and Foreign Affairs/International Relations Committees. The League continues to strongly oppose another wasteful, time-consuming special committee or commission unless and until there is no other constructive choice. In that event, the League would reconsider, but that time is NOT yet here.

League family members present for the 39th Annual Meeting in June voted unanimously to oppose formation of another Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs, as called for in H. Res.111. Claims of conspiracy and cover-up are again being alleged by a small but vocal minority; however, past investigations have found no evidence to support such charges. Past select/special committees and/or commissions have completely tied up assets and resources, and the accounting was put on hold to allow time and attention to respond to Congress or officials named to serve on special commissions. It is our understanding that efforts by those supporting another select committee have shifted to calls for appointing an independent counsel, presumably to conduct further investigations.

CHECK THE LEAGUE’S UPDATED WEB SITE

www.POWMIALeague.org, www.POWMIALeague.com, www.pow-miafamilies.org

POW/MIA Update: August 21, 2008

AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: There are still 1,754 US personnel listed by the Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. The remains of Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Manuel R. Denton, USN, listed as KIA/BNR October 8, 1963, was buried as part of a group on August 7th at Arlington National Cemetery. The remains of WO 1st Class Arthur F. Chaney, USA, and WO 2nd Class Bobby L. McKain, USAR, both listed as KIA/BNR in South Vietnam on May 3, 1968, were turned over to US officials by a US citizen on June 11, 1985, identified on March 11th 2008, but only recently released by DPMO as identified. The remains of SGT Timothy J. Jacobsen, USA, listed as MIA April 16, 1971 in South Vietnam were recovered June 7, 1995 and identified March 24, 2008, announced by DPMO as identified on July 28, 2008. The accounting for these four US personnel brought to 829 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. 90+% of the 1,754 still listed as missing and unaccounted-for were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.

PRESIDENT ADDRESSES VFW – AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO POW/MIA ACCOUNTING: On August 20th, in Orlando, FL, President Bush repeated his longstanding commitment to continue priority accounting efforts. As part of his address, after noting passage of “a GI Bill for the 21st century,” he stated, “We also owe something to your brothers-in-arms who never returned home. We will always cherish the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will never stop searching until we can account for every missing soldier, sailor, airman, Coast Guardsman, and Marine.” Due to the VFW’s longstanding support and involvement, there obviously was applause from those attending the VFW national convention. Resolutions considered and passed that pertain to the POW/MIA issue will be distributed when received from the VFW’s Washington Headquarters.

UPDATE ON JPAC OPERATIONS: The 92nd Joint Field Activity (JFA) in Vietnam begun June 11th recently ended following the return of one Recovery Team (RT) extended for several days in an effort to complete excavation at one site. A brief ceremony, attended by US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak, was held prior to the earlier redeployment of the other JPAC teams to honor five US personnel whose remains may be among those recovered and repatriated. The 45-day work period included five RTs, one Phase Two Testing Team (P2T), one Investigation Team (IT), one Underwater Investigation Team (UIT), one Research and investigation Team (RIT) and one Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) unilateral recovery team in a restricted area where US personnel are not allowed. According to press reports, the “blood chit” of Major Bobby M. Jones, USAF, was discovered at a site believed to be the location of the downed F4 in which he was listed as MIA. While such information is not routinely available this quickly, Major Jones’ sister, League Board Chairman Jo Anne Shirley, made public comments about these details as being a source of great relief to her and to her mother, Christine Jones.

In Laos, POW/MIA talks will take place later this week in Vientiane. Led by Detachment III Commander LTC Brandt Deck, USA Special Forces, the talks will include officials from JPAC headquarters in Hawaii and DPMO in Washington, DC. The 105th JFA in Laos extended over a 30-day period and concluded at the end of July. Five RTs operated in northern Laos, in Houaphan and Xiengkhoang Provinces. In Europe, a JPAC anthropologist recently completed assisting the US Army Mortuary Affairs Activity-Europe in the disinterment of US remains from the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium. These unknown remains were sent to JPAC’s laboratory in Hawaii for forensic analysis.

League family members present for the 39th Annual Meeting in June voted unanimously to oppose formation of another Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs, as called for in H. Res.111. Claims of conspiracy and cover-up are again being alleged by a small but vocal minority; however, past investigations have found no evidence to support such charges. Past select/special committees and/or commissions have completely tied up assets and resources, and the accounting was put on hold to allow time and attention to respond to Congress or officials named to serve on special commissions.

CHECK THE LEAGUE’S UPDATED WEB SITE

www.POWMIALeague.org, www.POWMIALeague.com, www.pow-miafamilies.org

POW/MIA Update: August 15, 2008

AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: There are 1,754 US personnel listed by the Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. The remains of Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Manuel R. Denton, USN, listed as KIABNR October 8, 1963, will be buried as part of a group on August 7th at Arlington National Cemetery. The remains of WO 1st Class Arthur F. Chaney, USA, and WO 2nd Class Bobby L. McKain, USAR, both listed as KIA/BNR in South Vietnam on May 3, 1968, were turned over to US officials by a US citizen on June 11, 1985, identified on March 11th 2008, but only recently released by DPMO as identified. The remains of SGT Timothy J. Jacobsen, USA, listed as MIA April 16, 1971 in South Vietnam were recovered June 7, 1995 and identified March 24, 2008, announced by DPMO as identified on July 28, 2008. The accounting for these three US personnel brought to 829 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. 90+% of the 1,754 still listed as missing and unaccounted-for were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.

VIETNAM’S PRIME MINISTER VISITS WASHINGTON: Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister (PM) of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), made a brief but significant visit to Washington, DC, June 23-25th, during which he met with President Bush, Secretary of Defense Bob Gates and other US senior political, defense and commerce/economic officials. The talks focused broadly on many issues of bilateral concern and interest, but POW/MIA accounting clearly was raised. It appears the PM was asked for unilateral action to provide archives, especially on LKA cases in Laos and Cambodia, in keeping with the March 13th Determination (Certification) to Congress. We are awaiting further confirmation on the PM’s reply.

League Executive Director Ann Mills Griffiths and Senior Policy Advisor Richard T. Childress attended a luncheon in the Prime Minister’s honor, hosted by the US-ASEAN Business Council and the US Chamber of Commerce, including a private pre-luncheon reception at which both League officials were able to chat briefly with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Pham Gia Kheim and several other Vice Ministers known from many years of meeting with Vietnamese officials in Hanoi, New York and Washington. The PM’s policy address at this function included a specific pledge to allow underwater recovery efforts along Vietnam’s coast, not a new pledge for US Navy ships, but reiterated at the highest level.

UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR POLICY ADDRESSES 39TH ANNUAL MEETING: The League was pleased that Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ambassador Eric Edelman gave an important address during the session on Friday afternoon, June 20th. In his remarks regarding the executive branch’s required Determination (certification) to Congress on Vietnam’s cooperation stated in part, “The Determination this year, as in recent years, notes that while we appreciate Vietnam’s cooperation to date on our accounting for our missing, we urge Vietnam to improve its work in unilaterally providing documents and archival records, especially pertaining to American captured or killed in areas of Cambodia and Laos under Vietnamese control.”

Noting that the next week the President would be hosting the Vietnamese Prime Minister, he stated, “You may be assured that among the many topics to be covered will be that of continued – and improved – cooperation on accounting for our missing. This is consistent both with the executive branch determination (to Congress) and with the joint statement issued at the conclusion of President Bush’s historic visit to Vietnam in November 2006, in which Vietnam pledged to assist the US through both join and enhanced unilateral actions.”

Commenting on the bilateral relationships with Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, he specifically raised Laos, noting “In Laos, the agreement to exchange defense attaches is a significant step forward in the evolution of the bilateral relationship. For a personnel accounting perspective, this will provide a venue for the stationing of (DIA’s) Stony Beach personnel permanently in-country. We can build upon this development as a way to increase Lao confidence in our bilateral relationship, which we hope will contribute to increased operational flexibility that will help draw down the backlog of cases and enable JPAC to use its resources more efficiently. This, in the final analysis, speeds up the work that needs to be done.”

Comment: Throughout his remarks, Secretary Edelman praised the League for its role over the years to ensure the US Government remained focused on the issue, for setting the bar high for achieving the fullest possible accounting, and for serving as the example for Korean War families and others to follow.

UPDATE ON JPAC OPERATIONS: The 92nd Joint Field Activity (JFA) in Vietnam, begun June 11th recently ended following the return of one Recovery Team (RT) that was extended in an effort to complete excavation at one site. A brief ceremony, attended by US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak, was held prior to the earlier redeployment of the other JPAC teams to honor five US personnel whose remains may be among those recovered and repatriated. The 45-day work period included five RTs, one Phase Two Testing Team (P2T), one Investigation Team (IT), one Underwater Investigation Team (UIT), one Research and investigation Team (RIT) and one Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) unilateral recovery team in a restricted area where US personnel are not allowed. According to press reports, the “blood chit” of Major Bobby M. Jones, USAF, was discovered a site believed to be the location of the downed F4 in which he was listed as MIA. While such information is not routinely available this quickly, Major Jones sister, League Board Chairman Jo Anne Shirley, made public comments about the these details as being a source of great relief to her and to her mother, Christine Jones.

In Laos, the 105th JFA over a 30-day period ended at the end of July. Five RTs operated in northern Laos, in Houaphan and Xiengkhoang Provinces. And in Europe, a JPAC anthropologist recently completed assisting the US Army Mortuary Affairs Activity-Europe in the disinterment of US remains from the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium. These unknown remains were to be moved through Landstuhl, Germany, and sent on the JPAC’s laboratory in Hawaii for forensic analysis.

FAMILIES FIGHT AGAINST ANOTHER SELECT COMMITTEE ON POW/MIA AFFAIRS: With a unanimous vote of the League’s voting members present for the 39th Annual Meeting earlier this month, the League is again on record strongly opposing H. Res.111, the measure that would, if passed, result in another House Select Committee on POW/MIA matters. Claims of conspiracy and cover-up are again being alleged, but past investigations have found no evidence to support such charges, completely tying up assets and resources, and the accounting was put on hold to allow time and attention to respond to Congress.

The League is now opposing the discharge petition (H. Res. 1240), introduced by Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO) that would force an up/down vote on H. Res. 111. To his credit, Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO is actively opposing the discharge petition. POW/MIA hearings have been called for July 10th to obtain Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) and JPAC testimony from Ambassador Charlie Ray and RADM Donna Crisp. The League supports oversight by the House and Senate Armed Services and Foreign Affairs/International Relations Committees, but will continue to oppose another wasteful, time-consuming special committee or commission unless and until there is nothing further that can be done constructively. In that event, the League would reconsider, but that time is NOT yet here.

NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY – SEPTEMBER 19, 2008: This year’s official date will again be on the third Friday in September, and the national ceremony will be held on that date. The 2008 poster was unveiled at the League’s 39th Annual Meeting and distributed there in limited number, but will be available shortly to the general public by calling 703-699-1131. A recording will inform the caller on needed what information to prompt a shipment of posters. A second way to order is to visit the DPMO web site at www.dtic.mil/dpmo and look at the link on the home page with instructions on how to order posters. There are still some 2007 posters left, and when the 2008 poster is available, the ordering info will be the same. Per DPMO, the posters were again ordered in both the large and small sizes.

COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN (CFC): The League was recently notified that the stringent criteria for the 2008 campaign were met, and our official number is the same, 10218, assigned by the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Washington, DC. The League is the ONLY nonprofit organization representing American POW/MIAs, KIA/BNR’s and their families eligible for donations through CFC & United Way. Despite the reality of many competing charities and much need, especially in a time of war, the League is proud of our eligibility, due to tough requirements that must be met and is in urgent need of tax-deductible donations, FEIN #23-7071242.

The League is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt, non-profit organization; Federal Tax ID #23-7071242

CHECK THE LEAGUE’S UPDATED WEB SITE

www.POWMIALeague.org, www.POWMIALeague.com, www.pow-miafamilies.org

START PLANNING NOW TO ATTEND THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY ANNUAL MEETING JULY 22-25, 2009

POW/MIA Update: August 4, 2008

AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: There are now 1,754 US personnel listed by the Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. The remains of Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Manuel R. Denton, USN, listed as KIABNR October 8, 1963, will be buried as part of a group on August 7th at Arlington National Cemetery. The remains of WO 1st Class Arthur F. Chaney, USA, and WO 2nd Class Bobby L. McKain, USAR, both listed as KIA/BNR in South Vietnam on May 3, 1968, were turned over to US officials by a US citizen on June 11, 1985, identified on March 11th 2008, but only recently released by DPMO as identified. The remains of SGT Timothy J. Jacobsen, USA, listed as MIA April 16, 1971 in South Vietnam were recovered June 7, 1995 and identified March 24, 2008, announced by DPMO as identified on July 28, 2008. The accounting for these three US personnel brought to 829 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. 90+% of the 1,754 still listed as missing and unaccounted-for were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.

UPDATE ON JPAC OPERATIONS: With the exception of one Recovery Team (RT), extended until August 8th, the 92nd Joint Field Activity (JFA) in Vietnam, begun June 11th recently ended with a brief ceremony, attended by US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak, to honor five US personnel whose remains may be among those recovered and repatriated. The 45-day work period included five RTs, one Phase Two Testing Team (P2T), one Investigation Team (IT), one Underwater Investigation Team (UIT), one Research and investigation Team (RIT) and one Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) unilateral recovery team in a restricted area where US personnel are not allowed. According to press reports, the “blood chit” of Major Bobby M. Jones, USAF, was discovered a site believed to be the location of the downed F4 in which he was listed as MIA. While such information is not routinely available this quickly, Major Jones sister, League Board Chairman Jo Anne Shirley, made public comments about the these details as being a source of great relief to her and to her mother, Christine Jones.

In Laos, the 105th JFA begun on June 26th has now concluded. Five recovery teams operated in northern Laos, in Houaphan and Xiengkhoang Provinces. And in Europe, a JPAC anthropologist recently completed assisting the US Army Mortuary Affairs Activity-Europe in the disinterment of US remains from the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium. These unknown remains were to be moved through Landstuhl, Germany, and sent on the JPAC’s laboratory in Hawaii for forensic analysis.

NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY – SEPTEMBER 19, 2008: This year’s official date will again be on the third Friday in September, and the national ceremony will be held on that date. The 2008 poster was unveiled at the League’s 39th Annual Meeting and distributed there in limited number, but will be available shortly to the general public by calling 703-699-1131. A recording will inform the caller on needed what information to prompt a shipment of posters. A second way to order is to visit the DPMO web site at www.dtic.mil/dpmo and look at the link on the home page with instructions on how to order posters. There are still some 2007 posters left, and when the 2008 poster is available, the ordering info will be the same. Per DPMO, the posters were again ordered in both the large and small sizes.

START PLANNING NOW TO ATTEND THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY ANNUAL MEETING JULY 22-25, 2008

The League is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt, non-profit organization; Federal Tax ID #23-7071242

CHECK THE LEAGUE’S UPDATED WEB SITE:

www.POWMIALeague.org, www.POWMIALeague.com, www.pow-miafamilies.org

POW/MIA Update: July 31, 2008

AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR: There are now 1,755 US personnel listed by the Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. The remains of WO 1st Class Arthur F. Chaney, USA, and WO 2nd Class Bobby L. McKain, USAR, both listed as KIA/BNR in South Vietnam on May 3, 1968, were turned over to US officials by a US citizen on June 11, 1985, identified on March 11th 2008, but only recently released by DPMO as identified. The remains of SGT Timothy J. Jacobsen, USA, listed as MIA April 16, 1971 in South Vietnam were recovered June 7, 1995 and identified March 24, 2008, announced by DPMO as identified on July 28, 2008. The accounting for these three US personnel brought to 829 the number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. 90+% of the 1,755 still listed as missing and unaccounted-for were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.

UPDATE ON JPAC OPERATIONS: The 92nd Joint Field Activity (JFA) in Vietnam, begun June 11th recently ended with a brief ceremony, attended by US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak, to honor five US personnel whose remains may be among those recovered and repatriated. The 45-day work period included five Recovery Teams (RT), one Phase Two Testing Team (P2T), one Investigation Team (IT), one Underwater Investigation Team (UIT), one Research and investigation Team (RIT) and one Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) unilateral recovery team in a restricted area where US personnel are not allowed. According to press reports, the “blood chit” of Major Bobby M. Jones, USAF, was discovered a site believed to be the location of the downed F4 in which he was listed as MIA. While such information is not routinely available this quickly, Major Jones sister, League Board Chairman Jo Anne Shirley, made public comments about the these details as being a source of great relief to her and to her mother, Christine Jones.

NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY – SEPTEMBER 19, 2008: This year’s official date will again be on the third Friday in September, and the national ceremony will be held on that date. The 2008 poster was unveiled at the League’s 39th Annual Meeting and distributed there in limited number, but will be available shortly to the general public by calling 703-699-1131. A recording will inform the caller on needed what information to prompt a shipment of posters. A second way to order is to visit the DPMO web site at www.dtic.mil/dpmo and look at the link on the home page with instructions on how to order posters. There are still some