POW/MIA Update: November 5, 2007

[boardman]

POW/MIA Update:  November 5, 2007
 
 
AMERICANS ANNOUNCED AS ACCOUNTED FOR:  There are now 1,766 US personnel listed by the Department of Defense as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.  Within the last few days, DPMO has released the names of another Air Force officer, adding to the previous six US personnel recently announced as accounted for, including:
 

Captain Johnnie C. Cornelius, USAF, KIA/BNR 6/26/68, NVN, AZ
Major Perry H. Jefferson, USAF, MIA 4-3-69, SVN, CO
Airman 1st Class George W. Long, USAF, KIA/BNR 5-12-68, SVN, KS
CAPT Warren R. Orr, USAR, MIA 5-12-68, SVN, IL
LTjg Norman L. Roggow, USNR, KIA/BNR 10-8-67, SVN, IA
LTjg Donald f. Wolfe, USNR, KIA/BNR 10-8-67, SVN, MT
LTjg Andrew G. Zissu, USNR, KIA/BNR 10-8-67, SVN, NY
 

This brings to 817 the number of US personnel returned since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.  90+% of 1,766 still missing and unaccounted-for were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.  
 

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ON RECOGNITION DAY:  Secretary of Defense Bob Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace, USMC, hosted the Pentagon’s National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony last Friday.  In his remarks, Secretary Gates stated, “I would also like to thank the families and friends of those still missing. Missing-in-action status is marked by ambiguity and uncertainty - a severe test of spirit and resolve for anyone seeking closure. Your attendance today proves once again that the bond of love transcends the passage of time - that while our nation's heroes may remain missing in body, they are always present in spirit.  We will neither forget our duty to bring home all POWs and MIAs, nor relent in our efforts to do so.” 
 

Though extemporaneous, General Pace’s remarks were relevant, informal and meaningful to those present, based on his many years of service in and commitment to our Armed Forces.  Patricia Scharf, widow of Col Charles Scharf, USAF (MIA October 1, 1965 over North Vietnam, remains recovered December 16, 1992 and announced as identified August 10, 2006) was recommended by the Defense POW/MIA Office and reportedly selected by Secretary Gates’ Protocol Office to make remarks from her perspective.  There were countless ceremonies held across the country and around the world, including in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.  
 
UPDATE ON OPERATIONS:  The 101st Joint Field Activity (JFA) in Laos is now ongoing, with four excavations at sites in the two southern Lao provinces of Khammouan and Attapeu.  Multiple investigations will also be conducted in this area during the 30-day operation.  One excavation is underway in Cambodia, begun on October 14th, and expected to conclude on November 27th.  In Vietnam, the 90th JFA began on October 19th and will extend over the agreed 45 days until December 2nd.  Operations will occur in 11 provinces, plus Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), with four excavations and investigations into numerous cases.  There was a ten-day advance period of preparation by a smaller joint team.
 

Regarding WWII incidents, operations have recently taken place in the Netherlands, Hungary, Austria, France (including an underwater investigation on the Island of Corsica), Luxembourg, Italy and Germany.   Two JPAC teams began further operations in Europe on October 15th.  A recovery team is excavating a site in Germany.  The investigation team is now in Paris, France, and another Research-Investigation Team is working in Germany.  All are expected to conclude work on November 29th. 
 
WINNER OF HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER:  The winner of the Harley Davidson Sportster was drawn on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, September 21, 2007, as promised.  The drawing took place at The American Legion Post 364 in Woodbridge, Virginia, following a Recognition Day ceremony jointly held with Post #364 Auxiliary.  Significantly, the winning ticket was drawn by a career US Army National Guard soldier with prior Army tours in the Persian Gulf War, Bosnia, Mogadishu, Iraq; he is scheduled for deployment to either Iraq or Afghanistan within the next three months. 
 

The winner was Dan Meeks, an Air Force Vietnam Veteran from Ohio, who served in Operation Ranch Hand, in Bien Hoa, South Vietnam, November 1968 to 69.  He is a member of Central Ohio Chapter of VVA, AMVETS, The American Legion and the VFW.  Congratulations to Dan, and special thanks to Allen Harvey for his generosity in donating the Harley and to American Legion Post 364 and its Auxiliary Unit members who supported us generously, including last-minute raffle ticket purchases and drawing of the winning ticket. 
 
FAMILIES OPPOSE ANOTHER SELECT COMMITTEE ON POW/MIA AFFAIRS:  With a unanimous vote of the League’s Board of Directors preceding a unanimous membership vote at the 38th Annual Meeting last June, the League is on record as strongly opposing H. Res.111.  Previously disproven claims of conspiracy and cover-up are again being raised, but past investigations have completely tied up assets and resources and the accounting was put on hold to allow time and attention to respond to Congress.  The League will continue to fight against another wasteful, time-consuming special committee or commission unless and until there is nothing further that can be done constructively.  In that event, the League would then reconsider.  That time is NOT now!   
 
LEAGUE APPROVED FOR 2007 COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN (CFC):  The League was recently approved and notified that the stringent criteria were met.  Our new (five digit) number is 10218, assigned by the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Washington, DC.  The League is the ONLY nonprofit organization representing American POW/MIAs, KIA/BNR’s and their families that is eligible for donations through the CFC & United Way structure.  Despite the reality that there are many competing charities and much need, especially in a time of war, the League is proud of our CFC eligibility, knowing the tough requirements that any organization must meet.   .
 

CHECK THE LEAGUE’S UPDATED WEB SITE
www.POWMIALeague.org <http://www.powmialeague.org/>
www.POWMIALeague.com <http://www.powmialeague.com/>
www.pow-miafamilies.org <http://www.pow-miafamilies.org/>