July 2, 2026

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Korea DMZ Observation Mission

CHEORWON, South Korea — The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency deployed a team of five multifunctional experts to the Republic of Korea during the week of May 11 – 15, 2026. The team observed current ROK recovery operations in the Demilitarized Zone at White Horse Hill and conducted a joint observation mission at ROK Guard Post 613 in the vicinity of Hill 111.

July 2, 2026

Acting Navy Secretary Visits DPAA Recovery Site in Vietnam

VIETNAM — The Acting Secretary of the Navy recently visited a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency excavation site in Vietnam, June 23, 2026. During the visit to the site, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao observed firsthand the rigorous operations DPAA conducts to recover missing U.S. personnel from past conflicts.

May 11, 2026

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Hosted Detroit Family Member Update

DETROIT — Hundreds of family members gathered for a Family Member Update hosted by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, where officials shared updates on long-standing cases involving missing U.S. personnel from past conflicts on May 2, 2026. The event saw 446 attendees, with 339 attending for the first time, representing 248 missing personnel cases from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

April 23, 2026

Fulfilling Our Nation’s Promise: DNA Threshold to Disinter USS Arizona Unknowns Met

WASHINGTON — The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that the 60% threshold of DNA Family Reference Samples has been met for the USS Arizona (BB-39) Unknown Identification Project. Reaching this 60% threshold allows DPAA to formally request and begin planning the disinterment of potentially 141 unknowns currently buried in multiple potentially commingled graves at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. The official start date for this effort will be announced once the disinterments have been approved by the Department of War.

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.