NEW ORLEANS –
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency hosted its latest Family Member Update on April 12, in New Orleans.
The agency welcomed over 270 family members representing 131 missing U.S. service members to the event.
The DPAA's mission to account for missing personnel is deeply personal, a fact driven home by Fern Sumpter Winbush, DPAA principal deputy director, during her first opening remarks to the families.
“We often talk about why we serve... because we still have men and women who are unaccounted for,” Winbush said. “But I like to say that’s the reason we exist, but who we serve are the families.”
The gathering provided an opportunity for families to connect, share stories, and receive updates on the status of loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation’s freedom.
Of the 131 missing service members honored, 93 were Soldiers, 20 were Sailors, 10 were Marines, and eight were Airmen. Family Member Updates serve as a bridge between families and the ongoing mission of DPAA to account for the more than 81,000 Americans still missing from past conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War.
During the event, attendees engaged in formal presentations, interactive question and answer sessions, and one-on-one meetings with DPAA officials. These discussions provided personalized updates on the search and identification efforts specific to each family’s case.
A central focus of the event was the critical role of DNA testing in the identification process. Family members were encouraged to provide DNA samples to aid in matching remains recovered from across the globe. With the help of advanced forensic science and improved technology, the agency has been able to provide long-awaited answers to many families.
Two first-time attendees, Betsy Fordham and Sharon Causey Guidry, shared personal stories that highlighted the emotional significance of the Family Member Updates.
Fordham’s uncle, U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Wiley Hawkins, went missing in January 1945. She recently received notification from DPAA about a possible identification of his remains. “The devastation of losing their oldest son, their brother, was forever,” Fordham shared. “Up until the day my mom died, she couldn’t mention his name without bursting into tears. So, I’m grateful to be able to get some of this information. My parents are buried in Arlington, and it’ll be nice to sit there and tell her what I know.”
Sharon Causey Guidry’s father, U.S. Army Air Forces Tech Sgt. Truman George Causey, who was a prisoner at the Cabanatuan POW camp, was recently identified in the Philippines. Guidry, who was born the same year her father deployed, had only ever seen his face in photographs. “I’m so thankful for this organization, and this is my first time here,” she said tearfully. “Don’t give up and keep praying and it will happen.”
DPAA’s mission is supported by numerous partners, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the American Battle Monuments Commission, and several non-governmental organizations. Their collective work ensures that the stories of the missing are never forgotten, and that their families receive the recognition and answers they deserve.