SUBIC BAY, Philippines –
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) has launched one of its largest and most complex recovery efforts to date to account for Americans associated with the sinking of the Oryoku Maru, a Japanese prisoner-of-war transport ship destroyed in Subic Bay during World War II.
This multi-year underwater recovery mission is led by DPAA in partnership with the United States Navy and the Government of the Philippines, reflecting the depth of U.S.–Philippine defense cooperation and a shared commitment to honoring those who served.
The Oryoku Maru was carrying Allied prisoners of war when it was sunk in December 1944. The recovery effort presents significant operational challenges that will require the team to employ advanced underwater recovery and identification techniques to ensure the mission is conducted with the utmost care and dignity.
“This mission represents our solemn commitment to provide the fullest possible accounting to families and the nation,” said U.S. Army Capt. Barrett Breland, DPAA team leader for the Oryoku Maru recovery. “We carry this responsibility with compassion and integrity, and our success depends on strong partnerships and unwavering respect for the fallen.”
The operation underscores the enduring alliance between the United States and the Philippines and highlights the Department of War’s commitment to recovering and identifying Americans who remain unaccounted for from past conflicts.
For more information about DPAA’s global mission, visit www.dpaa.mil or follow DPAA on social media.