Legion's POW/MIA accounting mission is 'long and resolute'

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Director Kelly McKeague took the opportunity to address American Legion delegates of the 105th National Convention in New Orleans about POW/MIA updates. His address Tuesday afternoon also was an opportunity to say thank you.

“Thank you for embodying The American Legion principle to honor those who came before us by paying perpetual respect for all past military sacrifices to ensure they’re never forgotten by new generations. Those missing in action made the supreme sacrifice and must not be forgotten. So thank you for doing so.”

Searching for American servicemembers missing in action from World War II to current conflicts is a sacred obligation of the DPAA because “it involves your comrades in arms. They made the full measure of devotion,” McKeague added.

Of the 81,226 who remain unaccounted for, DPAA estimates that 38,000 can be recovered. Those missing by war eras include:

·       World War II – 72,053

·       Korean War – 7,466 (5,300 are in North Korea)

·       Vietnam War – 1,575

·       Cold War – 126

·       Iraq and other conflicts – 6

The DPAA has 46 partnering nations and 243 people are currently deployed in Vietnam, Laos, China, Papua New Guinea, England, France, Italy and Poland to recover POW/MIAs. In January, China resumed cooperation and the DPAA sent a team of 16 to investigate two World War II sites. It’s the only country, among the 46, where America has losses from four conflicts – World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Cold War. The People’s Republic of China “wanted to cooperate on this humanitarian mission,” McKeague said.

The DPAA also has partnerships with 115 private organizations consisting of universities like the University of New Orleans and non-governmental organizations like the National World War II Museum in New Orleans to aid in their efforts. Both were instrumental in helping the DPAA find and recover the first Tuskegee airman, Capt. Lawrence Dickson from the Bronx, N.Y. Additionally, six Medal of Honor recipients who were formerly unknowns have been identified; and of the 55 boxes of remains turned over by North Korea in March 2019, 93 have been identified.

To help in their efforts, the Department of Defense increased the DPAA’s budget in fiscal year 2024 from $150 million to $190 million. This increase is locked in for the next five years.

“Here in the U.S., the POW/MIA mission generates strong support, interest and visibility in Congress and with the American public. And this is a direct result of The American Legion because of your staunch advocacy at all levels, nationally and at your departments and posts,” McKeague said. “When you come to Washington, you tell your members of Congress how important this mission is to you because, again, these are your comrades in arms.”

In 2023, 158 missing in action were accounted for and brought home to their family.  This included U.S. Army Pvt. First Class Thomas Smith from Grant, Mich., who was killed on Aug. 2, 1950, near Busan during the Korean War.

Smith was the second oldest of five children and is survived by two siblings – his 85-year-old sister Gloria and 81-year-old brother John, who was only 7 when his brother went missing. Smith was buried as an unknown at Honolulu's National Memorial Cemetery where DPAA is currently in the process of disinterring all unknowns buried. So far, 250 of the 860 have been identified.

American Legion Riders helped escort Smith the 32 miles from Grand Rapids airport to his hometown where the streets were lined with family members, veterans, first responders, community members and children to welcome him home. McKeague said a woman held a sign that stated the mission “perfectly. ‘We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.’ This nation cared to not give up the search for their brother is why that family now has closure,” he said.

Smith was buried June 29 next to his parents and two siblings.

U.S. Marine Corps. Capt. Ronald Forrester was an A-6A bombardier navigator shot down Dec.  27, 1972, over North Vietnam. Last year, bone fragments, teeth, dog tag and a gas credit card helped identify him. His daughter, Karoni, was 2 when her father went missing. On Oct. 7, Karoni will bury her dad in Arlington National Cemetery.

“They are why this mission matters and how your appreciation, support and advocacy of the POW/MIA mission enables us to perform this mission and more importantly, provide answers to families of those like the Smiths and the Forresters,” McKeague said.

“The commitment of The American Legion to this sacred mission is long and resolute. It’s manifested in a number of ways. For your Riders, your honor guards and your members who dutifully attend the military burials of returned servicemembers, thank you. For flying the POW/MIA flag from your departments and posts, thank you.”

The POW/MIA flag bears the words, “You are not forgotten.” McKeague assured the Legion that “the Department of Defense has not forgotten and will not forget. And thank you to The American Legion for also not forgetting and keeping the promise made to our unreturned veterans.”

American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer and National Security Division staff visited a DPAA team in Vietnam where they helped excavate. Their assistance resulted in the uncovering of an F-4 landing gear and human remains.

“Through the awareness that you raise, the support you promote, you walk the walk for your comrades in arms who are still missing,” McKeague said. “The fact that the United States of America vigorously pursues this mission, is the right thing to do.”