Sept. 3, 2026

Historic Milestone: DPAA Hosts First-Ever Lao POW/MIA Consultative Talks in Crystal City, Virginia

CRYSTAL CITY, Va. — Marking a historic milestone in a decades-long partnership, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency hosted the Lao People’s Democratic Republic POW/MIA delegation for the fiscal year 2026 Consultative and Technical Talks in Crystal City, Virginia, from Aug. 10 to 14, 2026.

March 4, 2026

DPAA Conducts Repatriation Ceremony in Laos

LAOS — A Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recovery team, Detachment 3, and Lao officials held a repatriation ceremony in Laos on Feb. 23, 2026. The ceremony marked the end of the joint field activity and the transfer of possible remains of American personnel unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

June 30, 2025

DPAA Met with Gold Star Families in Omaha, Nebraska for Vietnam War Annual Government Briefing

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency held its Vietnam War Annual Government Briefing in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 26 and 27, providing families with the latest information regarding their loved ones’ cases. This was the first time holding the meeting outside of Washington D.C.

April 29, 2025

There’s a first for everything

PHOU PHA THI, Laos — U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Connor Dougherty, a medic with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, played a critical role in maintaining the health, safety and operational readiness of his recovery team during a recent mission with DPAA.

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.