News & Stories

Sept. 28, 2021

LEAP Scholar Comes Full Circle on POW/MIA Mission in Vietnam

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Language Enabled Airman Program Scholar and U.S. Space Force Master Sgt. Hanh Le first heard of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in 2016 when she was stationed in Buckley Air Force Base,

Members of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) render honors during a chain of custody event for the recently identified remains of Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Emil J. Kapaun at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Sept. 21, 2021. In May of 2021, DPAA announced that Chaplain Kapaun’s remains had been positively identified. His remains had previously been interred in a grave marked “unknown” at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu in 1956 and had been disinterred in 2019 as part of DPAA’s Korean War Disinterment Project. DPAA’s mission is to achieve the fullest possible accounting for missing and unaccounted-for U.S. personnel to their families and our nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Apryl Hall)

Sept. 25, 2021

Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun: “Padre” finally returns home

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM — In 1950, they simply knew him as “padre.” They have since referred to him as the bravest man they’ve ever known, their hope, their idol, their savior, and have even called him “God’s man.” He’s attributed to saving their lives, both literally and figuratively. He performed miracles during some of the darkest moments in history, when all hope had been lost. It may be called the “forgotten war,” but they will ensure his name is remembered by all.

Staff Sgt. Michael O'Neal

Sept. 23, 2021

First-Ever United States and the Republic of Korea Joint Repatriation Ceremony

HONOLULU — The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) held its first-ever joint repatriation and wreath laying ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Sept. 22, 2021.The strong and long-lasting

Photo by Air Force Lt. Col. Trevor Gersten, U.S. Embassy

ARLINGTON, Va. Aug. 26, 2021

U.S. recognizes Royal Danish Navy for efforts in WWII B-24 crash investigation

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the U.S. State Department recognized members of the Royal Danish Navy for their efforts to support an underwater survey of a U.S. B-24 Liberator aircraft wreckage, which might help to account for missing World War II Airmen and provide information to their families.

Four people lift a drape off a poster, which is sitting on an easel.

July 27, 2021

DOD Unveils 2021 POW/MIA Recognition Day Poster

The Defense Department creates a poster each year in advance of POW/MIA Recognition Day, which highlights the department's ongoing efforts to provide the fullest possible accounting of the service members still missing from past conflicts.

News Releases Archives

Public Affairs Contact Information


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