MOROTAI, Indonesia –
A team from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), with support from the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, conducted an investigation mission in Morotai, Indonesia, to search for Americans still unaccounted for from World War II.
The mission is part of DPAA’s global effort to locate and identify the remains of missing U.S. service members and civilians. In Morotai, the team is examining historical evidence, conducting field surveys, and engaging with local residents to identify potential recovery sites.
“This mission highlights not only our commitment to the families of the missing, but also the strength of our ongoing partnership with Indonesia,” said U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Blake Garab, mission team leader. “We’re grateful for the support of the local community and the U.S. Embassy as we work to fulfill this sacred obligation.”
Morotai played a strategic role during the Pacific campaign in World War II, serving as a major base for Allied forces beginning in 1944. Decades later, it remains a significant location in the search for U.S. personnel who never returned home.
DPAA conducts missions around the world, supported by host nations and local communities, in pursuit of its mission to provide the fullest possible accounting for missing American service members. More than 72,000 Americans remain unaccounted for from World War II.
As part of the ongoing partnership between the United States and Indonesia, the joint investigation team interviewed 25 individuals, conducted more that 10 archaeological surveys and gathered valuable information that may help locate missing American service members from World War II.
For more information on DPAA’s mission and ongoing efforts, visit www.dpaa.mil.