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Famed director Spike Lee and best-selling author James McBride stand on the Gothic Line in Italy. James wrote the book "Miracle at St. Anna" about the 92nd Inf. Div., "Buffalo Soldiers," who fought on the Gothic Line during World War II. Spike later went on to make a movie based on the book. Little did Spike know at the time, but his cousin, Pfc. Maceo A. Walker, served with the 92nd on the Gothic Line and is still missing from the Battle of Cinquale Canal.

Feb. 23, 2022

Famed director Spike Lee learns of MIA cousin after making movie about cousin’s unit

WASHINGTON — Early in 2021, Spike Lee, acclaimed director of movies like “BlackKkKlansman,” “Malcolm X,” and “Do The Right Thing,” received a letter from the United States Army. He was a little confused, because,

Members of a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) recovery team dig in an excavation unit during a DPAA recovery mission in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. DPAA’s mission is to achieve the fullest possible accounting for missing and unaccounted-for U.S. personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan McElderry)

Dec. 30, 2021

AFCLC and DPAA: A Partnership for Mission Success

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. — Since 2012, Language Enabled Airman Program Scholars and Foreign Area Officers from the Air Force Culture and Language Center have helped to support the Defense POW/MIA Agency’s mission. What started as linguistic support for DPAA’s Short-term Individual Augmentee Sourcing Conference has now developed into life-changing language, cultural and tactical support in helping DPAA connect with families of missing personnel.

DPAA historian Dr. Ian Spurgeon interviews Maj Moffatt Burriss (Ret), former commander of Company I, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, at Den Heuvel, Netherlands, in September 2014. Three soldiers from Maj Burriss’ company are still missing from combat at Den Heuvel during Operation Market Garden.

Dec. 14, 2021

DPAA seeks families’ help for WWII Soldiers lost in Market Garden

ARLINGTON, Va. — The 93-year-old veteran walked the Dutch farm called Den Heuvel where in 1944 his forces were locked in a deadly battle with Nazis as part of Operation Market Garden. With Department of Defense

U.S. Army Pvt. Stephen C. Mason. Mason was assigned to Headquarters Company, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Infantry Division, which had served in Operation Market Garden – the invasion of the German-occupied Netherlands – and saw continued action in the Netherlands until mid-November. He was reported missing in action while on a mission to the enemy lines near Beek, Netherlands Nov. 3, 1944. His body was not recovered. Mason was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions. To identify Mason’s remains, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency scientists used dental and anthropological analysis as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System's-Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA analysis to identify Mason this year. (Photo courtesy of Karol Krychkowski, photographer unknown)

Nov. 3, 2021

Uncle Steve returns home from World War II

Wrightstown, NJ — Pvt. Stephen C. Mason and four other Soldiers left on a mission to the enemy lines near Beek, Netherlands, Nov. 3, 1944.They were charged with gathering information on German fortifications and, if

People talking and taking notes

Oct. 8, 2021

Airman's heritage supports POW/MIA mission

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — The U.S. Air Force has many opportunities for Airmen to develop skills they already have.

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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