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The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Senior Enlisted Advisor, U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Lauren Flores, and DPAA Chief of Staff U.S. Air Force Col. Derek Rankin stand alongside two former prisoners of the Vietnam War during the unveiling of the National POW/MIA Recognition Day poster at the Charleston Family Member Update, Feb. 21, 2026.

Feb. 23, 2026

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Hosts Charleston Family Member Update: Unveils 2026 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Poster

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency hosted a Family Member Update on Feb. 21, where the agency provided updates to the Gold Star families on their loved one’s cases. The event saw more than 400 family members, representing nearly 230 missing U.S. personnel, with approximately 285 attending for the first time.

American and Vietnamese officials stand for a group picture during the 171st Repatriation Ceremony at the Gia Lam Airfield, Hanoi, Vietnam, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Dec. 13, 2025

United States Holds 171st Repatriation Ceremony in Vietnam

HANOI, Vietnam — The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency received possible remains of a U.S. service member from the Vietnam War presented by the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) during a repatriation Ceremony at the Gia Lam Airfield, Dec. 13, 2025. At the ceremony, the 171st repatriation ceremony held by the two countries, VNOSMP representatives handed over remains to the DPAA thought to be associated with a U.S. Air Force F-105 crash site in Yen Bai Province.

Jennifer McDaniel, family member of a missing in action service member, shares a story about her great uncle with Fern Sumpter Winbush, principal deputy director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, during a Family Member Update in Bellevue, Washington, May 3, 2025.

May 19, 2025

A Chance Encounter Leads to Hope

BELLEVUE, Wash. — For years, the only thing Jennifer McDaniel knew about her great uncle, Pete, was that he had gone missing during his time serving in World War II. She knew that her family, overcome by the grief from such a loss, would not allow themselves to hope.

Rick Holland, son of U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Melvin Holland, sits on the summit of Phou Pha Thi during a visit to Laos, Jan. 24, 2025.

Feb. 11, 2025

A Life Fulfilling Climb

PHOU PHA THI, Laos — "I'm here, Dad!" Rick Holland shouted from atop a mountain in Laos as DPAA teams searched the jagged cliffs below for the men still missing from a battle that occurred 57 years ago. Holland’s father, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Melvin Holland, was one of 11 Airmen who lost their lives on Phou Pha Thi, also known as Lima Site 85.

Dr. Traci Van Deest, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Scientific Recovery Expert, gives a brief of the recovery and identification process of identifying unaccounted for personnel during a Family Member Update (FMU) in Norfolk, Virginia, Nov. 19, 2022. FMU’s give family members of MIA personnel the opportunity to speak with government officials face-to-face about their specific cases. These events include formal presentations, question and answer sessions, and one-one-one discussions designed to keep family members informed of DPAA’s mission to account for those still missing while addressing their individual needs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ariel Owings)

NORFOLK, VA Nov. 29, 2022

DPAA hosts first FY 2023 FMU in Norfolk, VA

NORFOLK, VA — The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) hosted the first Family Member Update (FMU) of the fiscal year 2023, providing more than 150 family members with updates in Norfolk, Virginia, Nov. 19.

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Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency PAO
Washington, D.C.
2300 Defense Pentagon
Attn: Outreach and Communications
Washington, D.C. 20301-2300
Email: dpaa.ncr.oc.mbx.public-affairs@mail.mil