Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA)

DPAA Remembers Jeanne Gibson

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jeanne Gibson, a beloved "Rosie the Riveter" who recently passed away at the age of 100. During World War II, Jeanne answered her nation's call by working as a shipyard welder—paving the way for generations of women to follow.
We were incredibly honored to host Jeanne at the Daniel K. Inouye DPAA Center of Excellence in December 2024. During her visit, she saw firsthand our agency’s mission to provide the fullest possible accounting of our missing personnel. Her parting words of encouragement to our team will stay with us forever:
"Don’t be discouraged when someone says no to you. Sometimes they say no because you are a woman or for other reasons, but when the time comes and they need you, be there. You can do it!"
Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest gratitude go out to the Gibson family. We will continue to carry her "We Can Do It" spirit forward in our mission every day.

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Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Detachment 1 Welcomes New Leadership

Leadership of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Detachment 1 was officially passed to its newest leader, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jee Chung, July 15, 2026. Chung took control of Detachment 1 during a change of leadership ceremony held at the U.S. Embassy grounds in Bangkok.

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DPAA Receives flag honoring Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s legacy

Kelly McKeague, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency director, and Jennifer Sabas, Director of the Daniel K. Inouye Institute, unveil the flag during a flag presentation ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 17, 2026.

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Gold Star Family Members Have Chance Encounter at Vietnam War Annual Government Briefing

While attending the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s Vietnam War Annual Government Briefing, June 25-26, 2026, two Gold Star family members had the chance encounter of a lifetime.

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Acting Navy Secretary Visits DPAA Recovery Site in Vietnam

The Acting Secretary of the Navy recently visited a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency excavation site in Vietnam, June 23, 2026. During the visit to the site, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao observed firsthand the rigorous operations DPAA conducts to recover missing U.S. personnel from past conflicts.

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Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Korea DMZ Observation Mission

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency deployed a team of five multifunctional experts to the Republic of Korea during the week of May 11 – 15, 2026. The team observed current ROK recovery operations in the Demilitarized Zone at White Horse Hill and conducted a joint observation mission at ROK Guard Post 613 in the vicinity of Hill 111.

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Families of Vietnam War Missing Gather to Hear Updates, Share Stories

The bedrock of the warrior ethos is that Americans never leave behind a fallen comrade, said Anthony Tata, undersecretary of war for personnel and readiness. Tata spoke, June 25, in Arlington, Virginia, to members of families who lost loved ones during the Vietnam War. The event was sponsored by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

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Solomon Islands MOU Signing

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the Government of Solomon Islands signed Memorandum of Understanding on June 3 that formalizes the recovery and repatriation of remains of U.S. personnel.

The MOU will facilitate continued collaboration between the two governments to advance DPAA’s critical mission of identifying U.S. personnel missing from World War II in Solomon Islands.

“The long-standing partnership we have with the Solomon Islands government and people is a testament to the values and commitment placed on this humanitarian mission,” said DPAA Director Kelly McKeague.

DPAA Remembers Jeanne Gibson

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Detachment 1 Welcomes New Leadership

DPAA Receives flag honoring Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s legacy

Gold Star Family Members Have Chance Encounter at Vietnam War Annual Government Briefing

Acting Navy Secretary Visits DPAA Recovery Site in Vietnam

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Korea DMZ Observation Mission

Families of Vietnam War Missing Gather to Hear Updates, Share Stories

Solomon Islands MOU Signing

STORIES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Soldier Accounted For From World War II (Carpenter, K.) The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that U.S. Army Pfc. Kenneth L. Carpenter, 22, of Westernport, Maryland, who was killed during World War Story

Airman Accounted For From World War II (Sweet, B.) The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces Pfc. Bernard F. Sweet, 21, of Bennington, Vermont, who was captured and died as Story

USS Utah Sailor Accounted For From World War II (Conner, J.) The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that U.S. Navy Fireman 1st Class Joseph U. Conner, 26, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, killed during World War Story

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Detachment 1 Welcomes New Leadership Leadership of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Detachment 1 was officially passed to its newest leader, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jee Chung, July 15, 2026. Chung, who took control of Detachment 1 during a change of leadership ceremony held at the U.S. Embassy grounds in Bangkok, was previously assigned as the Director of Plans and Joint Coordination, 7th Air Force, Osan Air Base, South Korea. Story

Airman Accounted For From World War II (McNeill, L.) The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Leonard J. McNeill, 27, of Orlando, Florida, who died as a prisoner of war Story

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DPAA IN THE DOD NEWS

Families of Vietnam War Missing Gather to Hear Updates, Share Stories War Department officials pledged to continue searching for the 1,565 service members still missing from the Vietnam War during a meeting with grieving families in Arlington, Va. Story

USS Wahoo Submariners Honored in Ceremony The U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs held a special ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial Story

Hegseth Honors Nation's POW/MIAs Secretary of War Pete Hegseth paid tribute to the U.S. military's prisoners of war and personnel missing in action during a ceremony commemorating National POW/MIA Recognition Day on the Pentagon. Story

Agency Provides Updates to Families of Missing in Action Personnel During Annual Briefing More than 400 family members of service members who never returned home from the Korean War or who were lost during the Cold War met with representatives from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency during the agency's annual update to families of missing personnel. Story

Defense Secretary Announces 100th Service Member Identified From Remains Turned Over by North Korea The 100th service member from a group of remains handed over by North Korea seven years ago has been successfully identified, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced from Hawaii. Story

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U.S. Servicemembers and Civilians Missing from Past Conflicts

STORIES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

DPAA IN THE DOD NEWS

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