POW/MIA Update - National League of Families
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 2:55 pm
UPDATE: July 12, 2012
AMERICANS ACCOUNTED-FOR: There are still 1,664 Americans listed by the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. Most recently announced are LT Dennis W. Peterson, USN, NJ, listed as KIA/BNR in North Vietnam on July 19, 1967, and SFC Gunther H. Wald, USA, CA, listed as MIA in South Vietnam on November 3, 1969. The remains of LT Peterson were recovered on November 20, 2000, and identified October 21, 2011. SFC Wald’s remains were recovered April 13, 2010, and identified January 6, 2011. The number of Americans announced as returned and identified since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is now 919. Another 63 US personnel, recovered post-incident by the US and identified before the end of the war, bring the official total recovered and identified from the Vietnam War to 982. Of the unaccounted-for 1,664 personnel, 90% were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control: Vietnam–1,282 (VN-470, VS-812); Laos–318; Cambodia–57; PRC territorial waters–7; more than 450 were over-water losses.
MOVEMENT ON ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTS: Vietnam turned over long-requested archival documents during Technical Talks held May 4th in Hanoi. This has been a League priority for decades during which appeals have been made for unilateral provision of such archival records. Lists prepared and updated by DPMO’s Research Analysis Directorate (RA) and JPAC’s Intelligence Directorate (J2) were repeatedly raised by US and League officials to all levels of Vietnamese officials. This recent responsiveness is encouraging, reflecting a decision by Vietnam’s leaders that is most welcome and deeply appreciated. The current political and security regional environment is prompting expanded military-to-military relations between the US and Vietnam, with increases in cooperation on matters pertaining to bilateral interests. Vietnam has long recognized the important role that the POW/MIA issue played as their “bridge” to expanding and broadening bilateral relations.
SECRETARY CLLINTON VISITS LAOS, VIETNAM & CAMBODIA: Embarking July 5th on a trip that encompasses Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, this is the first time in 57 years that a US Secretary of State has visited Laos. Bilateral US-Lao relations were not severed during the war and have steadily improved since 1982, after a hiatus of about seven years during which there was minimal dialogue and no cooperation. Although fairly imprecise, AFP (Agence France Press) reporting on the State Department’s announcement indicated that Secretary Clinton would likely focus on the Lower Mekong Initiative, a multilateral program to settle controversies that arise related to electrical power-generating dams on the Mekong River, efforts to fight drug trafficking and “may also seek to give fresh impetus to American hopes to recover the remains of US troops killed there during the Vietnam War.”
Information just in is that the Lao have agreed to permit base-camping in proximity to excavation sites and ground transportation to sites accessible by road, two specific areas of concern to US officials seeking to conduct field operations in Laos as efficiently, effectively and safely as possible. These are steps the League had sought and, though much remains to be done, including reissuing of a license to do business in Laos for Helicopters New Zealand, this is important progress. The League extends sincere appreciation to senior Lao officials for their favorable decisions and to Secretary of State Clinton for supporting these reasonable, necessary steps to enable greater accounting cooperation.
Comment: Department of State has been most helpful over the last two-three years in advancing the POW/MIA accounting agenda, advocated in large measure by Assistant Secretary of State for Asian Affairs Kurt Campbell, his Principle Deputy Joseph Yun, keynote speaker at the League’s 43rd Annual Meeting and the professional staff at the Department of State’s Mainland Southeast Asia Office. The visit to Laos was especially important as it has been a long time coming and drew significant attention to Laos and to the issue. Since our US Ambassadors to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are all very engaged and strongly support accounting objectives, the League is confident that the Secretary raised the issue in ways helpful to increasing the pace and scope of the overall effort. Secretary Clinton had already been to Vietnam on two occasions and will next be in Phnom Penh for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum (ASEAN Regional Forum or ARF) and related ministerial and post-ministerial conferences.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE VISITS CAM RANH BAY: In mid-June, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta met with his counterpart, Minister of Defense general Phung Quang Thanh, another significant step to expand military ties between the US and Vietnam during which Vietnam announced agreement to longstanding US requests to permit US personnel into previously restricted areas to conduct excavations. Just prior to the Secretary’s visit and, very importantly, Vietnam turned over long-requested archival documents that are still being analyzed for usefulness to achieving accounting objectives.
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLEDGES SUPPORT: On Memorial Day, May 28th, at the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the President and Secretary of Defense made very specific commitments to sustain priority on the accounting effort, drawing attention to the need for answers during remarks kicking off the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Celebration of the Vietnam War. In the course of his remarks, the President stated, “And when an American does not come back — including the 1,666 Americans still missing from the Vietnam War — let us resolve to do everything in our power to bring them home. This is our solemn promise to mothers like Sarah Shay who joins us today, 93 years old, who has honored her son, Major Donald Shay, Jr., missing in action for 42 years. There she is. Sarah, thank you for your courage. God bless you.” (The huge audience rose to give longstanding League member Sara Frances Shay a standing ovation in recognition of dedication and service.) Secretary Panetta also made specific commitments, stating, “Today, Department of Defense personnel are working diligently to identify and locate the remains of fallen service members missing in action in Vietnam. Let me assure you: this sacred mission will continue until all of our troops come home and are accounted for. It reflects the determination of our military and our country to leave no man or woman behind, and to honor those who have honored us with their service, valor, and sacrifice.”
CHANGES IN DPMO: MG W. Montague “Q” Winfield, USA (Ret) arrived in the office on May 21st as the new Deputy Assistant Secretary (DASD) for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs and Director of DPMO. He replaced former DASD Bob Newberry. Also no longer in the DPMO front office are former Principal Director Edward Frothingham and former Acting Chief of Staff Colleen Getz. The League looks forward to working with DASD Winfield and will consult, cooperate and assist in every reasonable, appropriate way to ensure success. On June 5th, League Chairman of the Board Ann Mills-Griffiths met with DASD Winfield to discuss many areas of mutual, substantive interest.
FIELD OPERATIONS: Joint Field Activities (JFAs) are now taking place in Laos and will resume soon in Vietnam. With the impetus provided by high level visits and resulting commitments, the League is hopeful that the pace and scope of US efforts to account for Vietnam War missing personnel will continue to expand to enable getting answers before witnesses are no longer available and remains have disintegrated even more due to acidic soil in the region. Earlier this year, JPAC conducted a successful JFA in Cambodia, though utilizing only one RT and one trilateral IT, working with Cambodian and Vietnamese counterparts. Field operations in Cambodia must be more frequent.
UPDATE: July 3, 2012
AMERICANS ACCOUNTED-FOR: There are still 1,664 Americans listed by the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. Most recently announced are LT Dennis W. Peterson, USN, NJ, listed as KIA/BNR in North Vietnam on July 19, 1967, and SFC Gunther H. Wald, USA, CA, listed as MIA in South Vietnam on November 3, 1969. The remains of LT Peterson were recovered on November 20, 2000, and identified October 21, 2011. SFC Wald’s remains were recovered April 13, 2010, and identified January 6, 2011. The number of Americans announced as returned and identified since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is now 919. Another 63 US personnel, recovered post-incident by the US and identified before the end of the war, bring the official total recovered and identified from the Vietnam War to 982. Of the unaccounted-for 1,664 personnel, 90% were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control: Vietnam–1,282 (VN-470, VS-812); Laos–318; Cambodia–57; PRC territorial waters–7; more than 450 were over-water losses.
MOVEMENT ON ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTS: Vietnam turned over long-requested archival documents during Technical Talks held May 4th in Hanoi. This has been a League priority for decades during which appeals have been made for unilateral provision of such archival records. Lists prepared and updated by DPMO’s Research Analysis Directorate (RA) and JPAC’s Intelligence Directorate (J2) were repeatedly raised by US and League officials to all levels of Vietnamese officials. This recent responsiveness is encouraging, reflecting a decision by Vietnam’s leaders that is most welcome and deeply appreciated. The current political and security regional environment is prompting expanded military-to-military relations between the US and Vietnam, with increases in cooperation on matters pertaining to bilateral interests. Vietnam has long recognized the important role that the POW/MIA issue played as their “bridge” to expanding and broadening bilateral relations.
FURTHER ACCOUNTING COOPERATION: Joint Field Activities (JFAs) in Vietnam have also expanded. Until recently, the US had largely failed to respond to Vietnam’s 2009 proposal to the League to “increase the pace and scope” of such operations. The largest JFA in some time, including six Recovery Teams (RTs) and two Investigation Teams (ITs) recently ended. The June JFA in Vietnam included several RTs, an Underwater Recovery Team (URT), an IT and a Research Investigation Team (RIT), the latter focused on cases of US personnel last known alive (LKA). Joint Advance Work (JAW) is now routinely scheduled outside the 30-45 day JFAs to facilitate time in-country when the full teams arrive. This pace must be continued and, where possible, further expanded to enable getting answers before witnesses are no longer available and remains have disintegrated even more due to acidic soil in the region.
Accounting cooperation in Laos has recently become more challenging. Only one Lao Air helicopter is currently certified as safe to carry US military personnel; therefore, the most recent JFA in Laos was one of the smallest yet. Lao officials were seeking greater compensation for decreased support, asserting that Lao Air is a private company, rather than under the jurisdiction of the Lao Ministry of National Defense (MND). The League believes extraordinary demands for compensation are demeaning to the principles of joint humanitarian cooperation, as well as short-sighted and damaging to the investment climate in Laos, especially when foreign direct investment is a very high Lao Government priority. In addition, the Lao have been reluctant to allow use of ground transportation to sites accessible by road, except as requested on a case-by-case basis. At a time when the Lao are trying to expand investment and tourism, this appears illogical on its face; therefore, it is hoped that Lao leaders will reconsider such positions and choose to move forward bilaterally to restore full cooperation.
DIA’s Stony Beach POW/MIA specialist in Laos was finally allowed to participate in the JFA recently concluded, a long-overdue, important step toward fully utilizing this dedicated asset. Unfortunately, the Lao government has not yet agreed for him to conduct interviews outside the limited timing of JPAC field operations. This illogical position continues despite the fact that all Stony Beach interviews would be fully coordinated with Lao officials, and trips outside Vientiane would be in the company of designated Lao personnel. The League hopes skeptical Lao decision-makers will recognize that Stony Beach is focused solely on POW/MIA matters and facilitate, rather than obstruct, Stony Beach’s ability to help locate information necessary to achieve humanitarian accounting objectives.
Earlier this year, JPAC conducted a successful JFA in Cambodia, though utilizing only one RT and one trilateral investigation team, working with Cambodian counterparts. More investigations and recoveries should be scheduled in FY12, instead of conducting only one per year. With the small number (57) of US personnel still unaccounted-for in Cambodia, and with several incident sites located and awaiting excavation, an all-out push by US and Cambodian officials, whose cooperation is highly praised, could actually achieve “fullest possible accounting” objectives in the near term. Expectations must be reasonable and tempered by knowledge of the horrors inflicted by the Khmer Rouge on their own people.
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLEDGES SUPPORT: At the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 28th, Memorial Day, the President and Secretary of Defense made very specific commitments to sustain priority on the accounting effort, and drew attention to the need for answers, during remarks celebrating the kick-off of the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Celebration of the Vietnam War. In the course of his remarks, the President stated, “And when an American does not come back — including the 1,666 Americans still missing from the Vietnam War — let us resolve to do everything in our power to bring them home. This is our solemn promise to mothers like Sarah Shay who joins us today, 93 years old, who has honored her son, Major Donald Shay, Jr., missing in action for 42 years. There she is. Sarah, thank you for your courage. God bless you.” (The huge audience rose to give longstanding League member Sara Frances Shay a standing ovation in recognition of dedication and service.) The President went on to comment, “This is the promise we’re fulfilling today to the Meroney family of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Forty-three years after he went missing, we can announce that Army Captain Virgil Meroney, III, is coming home, and he will finally rest in peace.” Both references received significant applause.
Secretary of Defense Panetta, alluding to returned POW CDR Everett Alvarez, USN, longest held POW in North Vietnam, stated “To see the names of officers who went through ROTC with me at Santa Clara inscribed on this wall. To know my good friend Everett Alvarez, a hero from this war and a classmate of mine, who served with great distinction in that war.” He went on to make specific commitments, stating, “Today, Department of Defense personnel are working diligently to identify and locate the remains of fallen service members missing in action in Vietnam. Let me assure you: this sacred mission will continue until all of our troops come home and are accounted for. It reflects the determination of our military and our country to leave no man or woman behind, and to honor those who have honored us with their service, valor, and sacrifice.”
Comment: Commitments on the issue are deeply appreciated and will be very useful if implemented by all departments and agencies, especially DoD; failure to even mention Americans missing and killed in Laos and Cambodia was a glaring omission. Sadly, controversy has arisen as a result of security requirements on Memorial Day, especially over hundreds, possibly thousands, who were unable to get to The Wall to pay tribute to fallen loved ones or fellow veterans. It is a commentary on today’s world that such restrictive measures were deemed necessary to protect the President, Vice President, their wives, the Secretaries of Defense, Veterans Affairs and Interior, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
CHANGES IN DPMO: MG W. Montague “Q” Winfield, USA (Ret) arrived in the office on May 21st as the new Deputy Assistant Secretary (DASD) for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs and Director of DPMO. He replaced former DASD Bob Newberry. Also no longer DPMO employees are former Principal Director Edward Frothingham and former Acting Chief of Staff Colleen Getz. The League looks forward to working with DASD Winfield and will consult, cooperate and assist in every reasonable, appropriate way to ensure success. On June 5th, League Chairman of the Board Ann Mills-Griffiths met with DASD Winfield to discuss many areas of mutual, substantive interest.
USRJC: The League’s advocacy for additional JPAC funding and personnel to enable expansion of field operations entailed opposition to some DPMO initiatives to engage in operations, rather than providing the policy guidance and support for which DPMO was established. Unified action by the major national veteran organizations and the League also opposed DPMO’s attempt, backed by DoD and others, to control the US-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIA Affairs (USRJC) and subsume it under a DoD-controlled working group as part of a broader “reset” in US-Russian relations. It is our hope that DASD Winfield will not be misled by some in DPMO with objectives not shared or supported by those of us most directly affected, the POW/MIA families and our nation’s veterans.
43RD ANNUAL MEETING: A full report will shortly be available, but in the interim, please check the League’s website for remarks of key speakers, and copies can also be requested from the League office.
UPDATE: June 8, 2012
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLEDGES SUPPORT: At the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 28th, Memorial Day, the President and Secretary of Defense made very specific commitments to sustain priority on the accounting effort, and drew attention to the need for answers, during remarks celebrating the kick-off of the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Celebration of the Vietnam War. In the course of his remarks, the President stated, “And when an American does not come back — including the 1,666 Americans still missing from the Vietnam War — let us resolve to do everything in our power to bring them home. This is our solemn promise to mothers like Sarah Shay who joins us today, 93 years old, who has honored her son, Major Donald Shay, Jr., missing in action for 42 years. There she is. Sarah, thank you for your courage. God bless you.” (The huge audience rose to give longstanding League member Sara Frances Shay a standing ovation in recognition of dedication and service.) The President went on to comment, “This is the promise we’re fulfilling today to the Meroney family of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Forty-three years after he went missing, we can announce that Army Captain Virgil Meroney, III, is coming home, and he will finally rest in peace.” Both references received significant applause.
Secretary of Defense Panetta, alluding to returned POW CDR Everett Alvarez, USN, longest held POW in North Vietnam, stated “To see the names of officers who went through ROTC with me at Santa Clara inscribed on this wall. To know my good friend Everett Alvarez, a hero from this war and a classmate of mine, who served with great distinction in that war.” He went on to make specific commitments, stating, “Today, Department of Defense personnel are working diligently to identify and locate the remains of fallen service members missing in action in Vietnam. Let me assure you: this sacred mission will continue until all of our troops come home and are accounted for. It reflects the determination of our military and our country to leave no man or woman behind, and to honor those who have honored us with their service, valor, and sacrifice.”
Comment: Commitments on the issue are deeply appreciated and will be very useful if implemented by all departments and agencies, especially DoD; failure to even mention Americans missing and killed in Laos and Cambodia was a glaring omission. Sadly, controversy has arisen as a result of security requirements on Memorial Day, especially over hundreds, possibly thousands, who were unable to get to The Wall to pay tribute to fallen loved ones or fellow veterans. It is a commentary on today’s world that such restrictive measures were deemed necessary to protect the President, Vice President, their wives, the Secretaries of Defense, Veterans Affairs and Interior, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
CHANGES IN DPMO: MG W. Montague “Que” Winfield, USA (Ret) arrived in the office on May 21st as the new Deputy Assistant Secretary (DASD) for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs and Director of DPMO. He replaced former DASD Bob Newberry. Also no longer employed in DPMO are Principal Director Edward Frothingham and Acting Chief of Staff Colleen Getz. The League looks forward to working with DASD Winfield and will consult, cooperate and assist in every reasonable, appropriate way to ensure success. On June 5th, League Chairman of the Board Ann Mills-Griffiths met with DASD Winfield to discuss many areas of mutual, substantive interest.
USRJC: The League’s advocacy for additional JPAC funding and personnel to enable expansion of field operations entailed opposition to some DPMO initiatives to engage in operations, rather than providing the policy guidance and support for which DPMO was established. Unified action by the major national veteran organizations and the League also opposed DPMO’s attempt, backed by DoD and others, to control the US-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIA Affairs (USRJC) and subsume it under a DoD-controlled working group as part of a broader “reset” in US-Russian relations. It is our hope that DASD Winfield will not be misled by some in DPMO with objectives not shared or supported by those of us most directly affected, the POW/MIA families and our nation’s veterans.
43RD ANNUAL MEETING: Registration is now closed, and the program is finalized, though always subject to last-minute changes, if required. Reservations at the Hilton Crystal City hotel are no longer available at the League-contracted special rate. A report on results will be available as soon as possible after the June 14-16th sessions conclude.
AMERICANS ACCOUNTED-FOR: There are now 1,664 Americans listed by the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. Most recently announced are LT Dennis W. Peterson, USN, CA, listed as KIA/BNR in North Vietnam on July 19, 1967, and SFC Gunther H. Wald, USA, NJ, listed as MIA in South Vietnam on November 3, 1969. The remains of LT Peterson were recovered on November 20, 2000, and identified October 21, 2011. SFC Wald’s remains were recovered April 13, 2010, and identified January 6, 2011. The number of Americans announced as returned and identified since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is now 919. Another 63 US personnel, recovered post-incident by the US and identified before the end of the war, bring the official total recovered and identified from the Vietnam War to 982. Of the unaccounted-for 1,664 personnel, 90% were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control: Vietnam–1,282 (VN-470, VS-812); Laos–318; Cambodia–57; PRC territorial waters–7; more than 450 were over-water losses.
MOVEMENT ON ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTS: As had long been sought, Vietnam turned over long-requested archival documents during Technical Talks held May 4th in Hanoi. This has been a League priority for decades during which lists have been provided with requests for unilateral provision of such archival records. Prepared and regularly updated by DPMO’s Research Analysis Directorate (RA) and JPAC’s Intelligence Directorate (J2), these lists were repeatedly raised by US and League officials to prompt greater Vietnamese responsiveness. This decision by Vietnam’s leaders is most welcome and deeply appreciated. The current political and security regional environment is prompting expanded military-to-military relations between the US and Vietnam, with increases in cooperation on matters pertaining to bilateral interests. Vietnam has long recognized the important role that the POW/MIA issue played as their “bridge” to expanding and broadening bilateral relations.
FURTHER ACCOUNTING COOPERATION: Joint Field Activities (JFAs) in Vietnam have also expanded. Until recently, the US had largely failed to respond to Vietnam’s 2009 proposal to the League to “increase the pace and scope” of such operations. The largest JFA in some time recently ended. It included six Recovery Teams (RTs) and two Investigation Teams (ITs). The ongoing JFA in Vietnam includes several RTs, an Underwater Recovery Team (URT), an IT and a Research Investigation Team (RIT), the latter focused on cases of US personnel last known alive (LKA). Joint Advance Work (JAW) is regularly scheduled outside the 30-45 day JFAs to facilitate time in-country when the full teams arrive. This pace must be continued and, where possible, further expanded to enable getting answers before witnesses are no longer available and remains have disintegrated even more due to acidic soil in the region.
Accounting cooperation in Laos has become more difficult. Only one Lao Air helicopter is currently certified as safe to carry US military personnel; therefore, the most recent JFA in Laos was one of the smallest yet. Lao officials are seeking greater compensation for decreased support, claiming that Lao Air is a private company, rather than owned and supported by the Lao Ministry of National Defense (MND). The League believes extraordinary demands for compensation are demeaning to the principles of joint humanitarian cooperation, as well as short-sighted and damaging to the investment climate in Laos, especially when foreign direct investment is a very high Lao Government priority. In addition, the Lao have been reluctant to allow use of ground transportation to sites accessible by road, except as requested on a case-by-case basis. At a time when the Lao are trying to expand investment and tourism, this appears illogical on its face; therefore, it is hoped that Lao leaders will decide to eliminate such obstacles and move forward bilaterally with no further illogical excuses.
DIA’s Stony Beach POW/MIA specialist in Laos was finally allowed to participate in the JFA recently concluded, a long-overdue, important step toward fully utilizing this dedicated asset. Unfortunately, the Lao government has not yet agreed for him to conduct interviews outside the limited timing of JPAC field operations. Despite the fact that all Stony Beach interviews would be fully coordinated with Lao officials, and trips outside Vientiane would be in the company of designated Lao personnel, this Lao position continues. The League hopes skeptical Lao decision-makers will recognize that Stony Beach is focused solely on POW/MIA matters and facilitate, rather than block, Stony Beach’s ability to help locate information necessary to achieve humanitarian accounting objectives.
Earlier this year, JPAC conducted a successful JFA in Cambodia, though utilizing only one RT and one trilateral investigation team, working with Cambodian counterparts. More investigations and recoveries should be scheduled in FY12, instead of completing one per year. With only 57 US personnel still unaccounted-for in Cambodia, and with several incident sites located and awaiting excavation, an all-out push by US and Cambodian officials, whose cooperation is highly praised, could actually achieve “fullest possible accounting” objectives in the near term. Expectations must be reasonable and tempered by knowledge of the horrors inflicted by the Khmer Rouge on the Cambodian people.
AMERICANS ACCOUNTED-FOR: There are still 1,664 Americans listed by the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. Most recently announced are LT Dennis W. Peterson, USN, NJ, listed as KIA/BNR in North Vietnam on July 19, 1967, and SFC Gunther H. Wald, USA, CA, listed as MIA in South Vietnam on November 3, 1969. The remains of LT Peterson were recovered on November 20, 2000, and identified October 21, 2011. SFC Wald’s remains were recovered April 13, 2010, and identified January 6, 2011. The number of Americans announced as returned and identified since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is now 919. Another 63 US personnel, recovered post-incident by the US and identified before the end of the war, bring the official total recovered and identified from the Vietnam War to 982. Of the unaccounted-for 1,664 personnel, 90% were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control: Vietnam–1,282 (VN-470, VS-812); Laos–318; Cambodia–57; PRC territorial waters–7; more than 450 were over-water losses.
MOVEMENT ON ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTS: Vietnam turned over long-requested archival documents during Technical Talks held May 4th in Hanoi. This has been a League priority for decades during which appeals have been made for unilateral provision of such archival records. Lists prepared and updated by DPMO’s Research Analysis Directorate (RA) and JPAC’s Intelligence Directorate (J2) were repeatedly raised by US and League officials to all levels of Vietnamese officials. This recent responsiveness is encouraging, reflecting a decision by Vietnam’s leaders that is most welcome and deeply appreciated. The current political and security regional environment is prompting expanded military-to-military relations between the US and Vietnam, with increases in cooperation on matters pertaining to bilateral interests. Vietnam has long recognized the important role that the POW/MIA issue played as their “bridge” to expanding and broadening bilateral relations.
SECRETARY CLLINTON VISITS LAOS, VIETNAM & CAMBODIA: Embarking July 5th on a trip that encompasses Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, this is the first time in 57 years that a US Secretary of State has visited Laos. Bilateral US-Lao relations were not severed during the war and have steadily improved since 1982, after a hiatus of about seven years during which there was minimal dialogue and no cooperation. Although fairly imprecise, AFP (Agence France Press) reporting on the State Department’s announcement indicated that Secretary Clinton would likely focus on the Lower Mekong Initiative, a multilateral program to settle controversies that arise related to electrical power-generating dams on the Mekong River, efforts to fight drug trafficking and “may also seek to give fresh impetus to American hopes to recover the remains of US troops killed there during the Vietnam War.”
Information just in is that the Lao have agreed to permit base-camping in proximity to excavation sites and ground transportation to sites accessible by road, two specific areas of concern to US officials seeking to conduct field operations in Laos as efficiently, effectively and safely as possible. These are steps the League had sought and, though much remains to be done, including reissuing of a license to do business in Laos for Helicopters New Zealand, this is important progress. The League extends sincere appreciation to senior Lao officials for their favorable decisions and to Secretary of State Clinton for supporting these reasonable, necessary steps to enable greater accounting cooperation.
Comment: Department of State has been most helpful over the last two-three years in advancing the POW/MIA accounting agenda, advocated in large measure by Assistant Secretary of State for Asian Affairs Kurt Campbell, his Principle Deputy Joseph Yun, keynote speaker at the League’s 43rd Annual Meeting and the professional staff at the Department of State’s Mainland Southeast Asia Office. The visit to Laos was especially important as it has been a long time coming and drew significant attention to Laos and to the issue. Since our US Ambassadors to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are all very engaged and strongly support accounting objectives, the League is confident that the Secretary raised the issue in ways helpful to increasing the pace and scope of the overall effort. Secretary Clinton had already been to Vietnam on two occasions and will next be in Phnom Penh for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum (ASEAN Regional Forum or ARF) and related ministerial and post-ministerial conferences.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE VISITS CAM RANH BAY: In mid-June, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta met with his counterpart, Minister of Defense general Phung Quang Thanh, another significant step to expand military ties between the US and Vietnam during which Vietnam announced agreement to longstanding US requests to permit US personnel into previously restricted areas to conduct excavations. Just prior to the Secretary’s visit and, very importantly, Vietnam turned over long-requested archival documents that are still being analyzed for usefulness to achieving accounting objectives.
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLEDGES SUPPORT: On Memorial Day, May 28th, at the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the President and Secretary of Defense made very specific commitments to sustain priority on the accounting effort, drawing attention to the need for answers during remarks kicking off the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Celebration of the Vietnam War. In the course of his remarks, the President stated, “And when an American does not come back — including the 1,666 Americans still missing from the Vietnam War — let us resolve to do everything in our power to bring them home. This is our solemn promise to mothers like Sarah Shay who joins us today, 93 years old, who has honored her son, Major Donald Shay, Jr., missing in action for 42 years. There she is. Sarah, thank you for your courage. God bless you.” (The huge audience rose to give longstanding League member Sara Frances Shay a standing ovation in recognition of dedication and service.) Secretary Panetta also made specific commitments, stating, “Today, Department of Defense personnel are working diligently to identify and locate the remains of fallen service members missing in action in Vietnam. Let me assure you: this sacred mission will continue until all of our troops come home and are accounted for. It reflects the determination of our military and our country to leave no man or woman behind, and to honor those who have honored us with their service, valor, and sacrifice.”
CHANGES IN DPMO: MG W. Montague “Q” Winfield, USA (Ret) arrived in the office on May 21st as the new Deputy Assistant Secretary (DASD) for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs and Director of DPMO. He replaced former DASD Bob Newberry. Also no longer in the DPMO front office are former Principal Director Edward Frothingham and former Acting Chief of Staff Colleen Getz. The League looks forward to working with DASD Winfield and will consult, cooperate and assist in every reasonable, appropriate way to ensure success. On June 5th, League Chairman of the Board Ann Mills-Griffiths met with DASD Winfield to discuss many areas of mutual, substantive interest.
FIELD OPERATIONS: Joint Field Activities (JFAs) are now taking place in Laos and will resume soon in Vietnam. With the impetus provided by high level visits and resulting commitments, the League is hopeful that the pace and scope of US efforts to account for Vietnam War missing personnel will continue to expand to enable getting answers before witnesses are no longer available and remains have disintegrated even more due to acidic soil in the region. Earlier this year, JPAC conducted a successful JFA in Cambodia, though utilizing only one RT and one trilateral IT, working with Cambodian and Vietnamese counterparts. Field operations in Cambodia must be more frequent.
UPDATE: July 3, 2012
AMERICANS ACCOUNTED-FOR: There are still 1,664 Americans listed by the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. Most recently announced are LT Dennis W. Peterson, USN, NJ, listed as KIA/BNR in North Vietnam on July 19, 1967, and SFC Gunther H. Wald, USA, CA, listed as MIA in South Vietnam on November 3, 1969. The remains of LT Peterson were recovered on November 20, 2000, and identified October 21, 2011. SFC Wald’s remains were recovered April 13, 2010, and identified January 6, 2011. The number of Americans announced as returned and identified since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is now 919. Another 63 US personnel, recovered post-incident by the US and identified before the end of the war, bring the official total recovered and identified from the Vietnam War to 982. Of the unaccounted-for 1,664 personnel, 90% were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control: Vietnam–1,282 (VN-470, VS-812); Laos–318; Cambodia–57; PRC territorial waters–7; more than 450 were over-water losses.
MOVEMENT ON ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTS: Vietnam turned over long-requested archival documents during Technical Talks held May 4th in Hanoi. This has been a League priority for decades during which appeals have been made for unilateral provision of such archival records. Lists prepared and updated by DPMO’s Research Analysis Directorate (RA) and JPAC’s Intelligence Directorate (J2) were repeatedly raised by US and League officials to all levels of Vietnamese officials. This recent responsiveness is encouraging, reflecting a decision by Vietnam’s leaders that is most welcome and deeply appreciated. The current political and security regional environment is prompting expanded military-to-military relations between the US and Vietnam, with increases in cooperation on matters pertaining to bilateral interests. Vietnam has long recognized the important role that the POW/MIA issue played as their “bridge” to expanding and broadening bilateral relations.
FURTHER ACCOUNTING COOPERATION: Joint Field Activities (JFAs) in Vietnam have also expanded. Until recently, the US had largely failed to respond to Vietnam’s 2009 proposal to the League to “increase the pace and scope” of such operations. The largest JFA in some time, including six Recovery Teams (RTs) and two Investigation Teams (ITs) recently ended. The June JFA in Vietnam included several RTs, an Underwater Recovery Team (URT), an IT and a Research Investigation Team (RIT), the latter focused on cases of US personnel last known alive (LKA). Joint Advance Work (JAW) is now routinely scheduled outside the 30-45 day JFAs to facilitate time in-country when the full teams arrive. This pace must be continued and, where possible, further expanded to enable getting answers before witnesses are no longer available and remains have disintegrated even more due to acidic soil in the region.
Accounting cooperation in Laos has recently become more challenging. Only one Lao Air helicopter is currently certified as safe to carry US military personnel; therefore, the most recent JFA in Laos was one of the smallest yet. Lao officials were seeking greater compensation for decreased support, asserting that Lao Air is a private company, rather than under the jurisdiction of the Lao Ministry of National Defense (MND). The League believes extraordinary demands for compensation are demeaning to the principles of joint humanitarian cooperation, as well as short-sighted and damaging to the investment climate in Laos, especially when foreign direct investment is a very high Lao Government priority. In addition, the Lao have been reluctant to allow use of ground transportation to sites accessible by road, except as requested on a case-by-case basis. At a time when the Lao are trying to expand investment and tourism, this appears illogical on its face; therefore, it is hoped that Lao leaders will reconsider such positions and choose to move forward bilaterally to restore full cooperation.
DIA’s Stony Beach POW/MIA specialist in Laos was finally allowed to participate in the JFA recently concluded, a long-overdue, important step toward fully utilizing this dedicated asset. Unfortunately, the Lao government has not yet agreed for him to conduct interviews outside the limited timing of JPAC field operations. This illogical position continues despite the fact that all Stony Beach interviews would be fully coordinated with Lao officials, and trips outside Vientiane would be in the company of designated Lao personnel. The League hopes skeptical Lao decision-makers will recognize that Stony Beach is focused solely on POW/MIA matters and facilitate, rather than obstruct, Stony Beach’s ability to help locate information necessary to achieve humanitarian accounting objectives.
Earlier this year, JPAC conducted a successful JFA in Cambodia, though utilizing only one RT and one trilateral investigation team, working with Cambodian counterparts. More investigations and recoveries should be scheduled in FY12, instead of conducting only one per year. With the small number (57) of US personnel still unaccounted-for in Cambodia, and with several incident sites located and awaiting excavation, an all-out push by US and Cambodian officials, whose cooperation is highly praised, could actually achieve “fullest possible accounting” objectives in the near term. Expectations must be reasonable and tempered by knowledge of the horrors inflicted by the Khmer Rouge on their own people.
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLEDGES SUPPORT: At the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 28th, Memorial Day, the President and Secretary of Defense made very specific commitments to sustain priority on the accounting effort, and drew attention to the need for answers, during remarks celebrating the kick-off of the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Celebration of the Vietnam War. In the course of his remarks, the President stated, “And when an American does not come back — including the 1,666 Americans still missing from the Vietnam War — let us resolve to do everything in our power to bring them home. This is our solemn promise to mothers like Sarah Shay who joins us today, 93 years old, who has honored her son, Major Donald Shay, Jr., missing in action for 42 years. There she is. Sarah, thank you for your courage. God bless you.” (The huge audience rose to give longstanding League member Sara Frances Shay a standing ovation in recognition of dedication and service.) The President went on to comment, “This is the promise we’re fulfilling today to the Meroney family of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Forty-three years after he went missing, we can announce that Army Captain Virgil Meroney, III, is coming home, and he will finally rest in peace.” Both references received significant applause.
Secretary of Defense Panetta, alluding to returned POW CDR Everett Alvarez, USN, longest held POW in North Vietnam, stated “To see the names of officers who went through ROTC with me at Santa Clara inscribed on this wall. To know my good friend Everett Alvarez, a hero from this war and a classmate of mine, who served with great distinction in that war.” He went on to make specific commitments, stating, “Today, Department of Defense personnel are working diligently to identify and locate the remains of fallen service members missing in action in Vietnam. Let me assure you: this sacred mission will continue until all of our troops come home and are accounted for. It reflects the determination of our military and our country to leave no man or woman behind, and to honor those who have honored us with their service, valor, and sacrifice.”
Comment: Commitments on the issue are deeply appreciated and will be very useful if implemented by all departments and agencies, especially DoD; failure to even mention Americans missing and killed in Laos and Cambodia was a glaring omission. Sadly, controversy has arisen as a result of security requirements on Memorial Day, especially over hundreds, possibly thousands, who were unable to get to The Wall to pay tribute to fallen loved ones or fellow veterans. It is a commentary on today’s world that such restrictive measures were deemed necessary to protect the President, Vice President, their wives, the Secretaries of Defense, Veterans Affairs and Interior, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
CHANGES IN DPMO: MG W. Montague “Q” Winfield, USA (Ret) arrived in the office on May 21st as the new Deputy Assistant Secretary (DASD) for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs and Director of DPMO. He replaced former DASD Bob Newberry. Also no longer DPMO employees are former Principal Director Edward Frothingham and former Acting Chief of Staff Colleen Getz. The League looks forward to working with DASD Winfield and will consult, cooperate and assist in every reasonable, appropriate way to ensure success. On June 5th, League Chairman of the Board Ann Mills-Griffiths met with DASD Winfield to discuss many areas of mutual, substantive interest.
USRJC: The League’s advocacy for additional JPAC funding and personnel to enable expansion of field operations entailed opposition to some DPMO initiatives to engage in operations, rather than providing the policy guidance and support for which DPMO was established. Unified action by the major national veteran organizations and the League also opposed DPMO’s attempt, backed by DoD and others, to control the US-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIA Affairs (USRJC) and subsume it under a DoD-controlled working group as part of a broader “reset” in US-Russian relations. It is our hope that DASD Winfield will not be misled by some in DPMO with objectives not shared or supported by those of us most directly affected, the POW/MIA families and our nation’s veterans.
43RD ANNUAL MEETING: A full report will shortly be available, but in the interim, please check the League’s website for remarks of key speakers, and copies can also be requested from the League office.
UPDATE: June 8, 2012
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLEDGES SUPPORT: At the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 28th, Memorial Day, the President and Secretary of Defense made very specific commitments to sustain priority on the accounting effort, and drew attention to the need for answers, during remarks celebrating the kick-off of the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Celebration of the Vietnam War. In the course of his remarks, the President stated, “And when an American does not come back — including the 1,666 Americans still missing from the Vietnam War — let us resolve to do everything in our power to bring them home. This is our solemn promise to mothers like Sarah Shay who joins us today, 93 years old, who has honored her son, Major Donald Shay, Jr., missing in action for 42 years. There she is. Sarah, thank you for your courage. God bless you.” (The huge audience rose to give longstanding League member Sara Frances Shay a standing ovation in recognition of dedication and service.) The President went on to comment, “This is the promise we’re fulfilling today to the Meroney family of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Forty-three years after he went missing, we can announce that Army Captain Virgil Meroney, III, is coming home, and he will finally rest in peace.” Both references received significant applause.
Secretary of Defense Panetta, alluding to returned POW CDR Everett Alvarez, USN, longest held POW in North Vietnam, stated “To see the names of officers who went through ROTC with me at Santa Clara inscribed on this wall. To know my good friend Everett Alvarez, a hero from this war and a classmate of mine, who served with great distinction in that war.” He went on to make specific commitments, stating, “Today, Department of Defense personnel are working diligently to identify and locate the remains of fallen service members missing in action in Vietnam. Let me assure you: this sacred mission will continue until all of our troops come home and are accounted for. It reflects the determination of our military and our country to leave no man or woman behind, and to honor those who have honored us with their service, valor, and sacrifice.”
Comment: Commitments on the issue are deeply appreciated and will be very useful if implemented by all departments and agencies, especially DoD; failure to even mention Americans missing and killed in Laos and Cambodia was a glaring omission. Sadly, controversy has arisen as a result of security requirements on Memorial Day, especially over hundreds, possibly thousands, who were unable to get to The Wall to pay tribute to fallen loved ones or fellow veterans. It is a commentary on today’s world that such restrictive measures were deemed necessary to protect the President, Vice President, their wives, the Secretaries of Defense, Veterans Affairs and Interior, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
CHANGES IN DPMO: MG W. Montague “Que” Winfield, USA (Ret) arrived in the office on May 21st as the new Deputy Assistant Secretary (DASD) for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs and Director of DPMO. He replaced former DASD Bob Newberry. Also no longer employed in DPMO are Principal Director Edward Frothingham and Acting Chief of Staff Colleen Getz. The League looks forward to working with DASD Winfield and will consult, cooperate and assist in every reasonable, appropriate way to ensure success. On June 5th, League Chairman of the Board Ann Mills-Griffiths met with DASD Winfield to discuss many areas of mutual, substantive interest.
USRJC: The League’s advocacy for additional JPAC funding and personnel to enable expansion of field operations entailed opposition to some DPMO initiatives to engage in operations, rather than providing the policy guidance and support for which DPMO was established. Unified action by the major national veteran organizations and the League also opposed DPMO’s attempt, backed by DoD and others, to control the US-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIA Affairs (USRJC) and subsume it under a DoD-controlled working group as part of a broader “reset” in US-Russian relations. It is our hope that DASD Winfield will not be misled by some in DPMO with objectives not shared or supported by those of us most directly affected, the POW/MIA families and our nation’s veterans.
43RD ANNUAL MEETING: Registration is now closed, and the program is finalized, though always subject to last-minute changes, if required. Reservations at the Hilton Crystal City hotel are no longer available at the League-contracted special rate. A report on results will be available as soon as possible after the June 14-16th sessions conclude.
AMERICANS ACCOUNTED-FOR: There are now 1,664 Americans listed by the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. Most recently announced are LT Dennis W. Peterson, USN, CA, listed as KIA/BNR in North Vietnam on July 19, 1967, and SFC Gunther H. Wald, USA, NJ, listed as MIA in South Vietnam on November 3, 1969. The remains of LT Peterson were recovered on November 20, 2000, and identified October 21, 2011. SFC Wald’s remains were recovered April 13, 2010, and identified January 6, 2011. The number of Americans announced as returned and identified since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is now 919. Another 63 US personnel, recovered post-incident by the US and identified before the end of the war, bring the official total recovered and identified from the Vietnam War to 982. Of the unaccounted-for 1,664 personnel, 90% were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control: Vietnam–1,282 (VN-470, VS-812); Laos–318; Cambodia–57; PRC territorial waters–7; more than 450 were over-water losses.
MOVEMENT ON ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTS: As had long been sought, Vietnam turned over long-requested archival documents during Technical Talks held May 4th in Hanoi. This has been a League priority for decades during which lists have been provided with requests for unilateral provision of such archival records. Prepared and regularly updated by DPMO’s Research Analysis Directorate (RA) and JPAC’s Intelligence Directorate (J2), these lists were repeatedly raised by US and League officials to prompt greater Vietnamese responsiveness. This decision by Vietnam’s leaders is most welcome and deeply appreciated. The current political and security regional environment is prompting expanded military-to-military relations between the US and Vietnam, with increases in cooperation on matters pertaining to bilateral interests. Vietnam has long recognized the important role that the POW/MIA issue played as their “bridge” to expanding and broadening bilateral relations.
FURTHER ACCOUNTING COOPERATION: Joint Field Activities (JFAs) in Vietnam have also expanded. Until recently, the US had largely failed to respond to Vietnam’s 2009 proposal to the League to “increase the pace and scope” of such operations. The largest JFA in some time recently ended. It included six Recovery Teams (RTs) and two Investigation Teams (ITs). The ongoing JFA in Vietnam includes several RTs, an Underwater Recovery Team (URT), an IT and a Research Investigation Team (RIT), the latter focused on cases of US personnel last known alive (LKA). Joint Advance Work (JAW) is regularly scheduled outside the 30-45 day JFAs to facilitate time in-country when the full teams arrive. This pace must be continued and, where possible, further expanded to enable getting answers before witnesses are no longer available and remains have disintegrated even more due to acidic soil in the region.
Accounting cooperation in Laos has become more difficult. Only one Lao Air helicopter is currently certified as safe to carry US military personnel; therefore, the most recent JFA in Laos was one of the smallest yet. Lao officials are seeking greater compensation for decreased support, claiming that Lao Air is a private company, rather than owned and supported by the Lao Ministry of National Defense (MND). The League believes extraordinary demands for compensation are demeaning to the principles of joint humanitarian cooperation, as well as short-sighted and damaging to the investment climate in Laos, especially when foreign direct investment is a very high Lao Government priority. In addition, the Lao have been reluctant to allow use of ground transportation to sites accessible by road, except as requested on a case-by-case basis. At a time when the Lao are trying to expand investment and tourism, this appears illogical on its face; therefore, it is hoped that Lao leaders will decide to eliminate such obstacles and move forward bilaterally with no further illogical excuses.
DIA’s Stony Beach POW/MIA specialist in Laos was finally allowed to participate in the JFA recently concluded, a long-overdue, important step toward fully utilizing this dedicated asset. Unfortunately, the Lao government has not yet agreed for him to conduct interviews outside the limited timing of JPAC field operations. Despite the fact that all Stony Beach interviews would be fully coordinated with Lao officials, and trips outside Vientiane would be in the company of designated Lao personnel, this Lao position continues. The League hopes skeptical Lao decision-makers will recognize that Stony Beach is focused solely on POW/MIA matters and facilitate, rather than block, Stony Beach’s ability to help locate information necessary to achieve humanitarian accounting objectives.
Earlier this year, JPAC conducted a successful JFA in Cambodia, though utilizing only one RT and one trilateral investigation team, working with Cambodian counterparts. More investigations and recoveries should be scheduled in FY12, instead of completing one per year. With only 57 US personnel still unaccounted-for in Cambodia, and with several incident sites located and awaiting excavation, an all-out push by US and Cambodian officials, whose cooperation is highly praised, could actually achieve “fullest possible accounting” objectives in the near term. Expectations must be reasonable and tempered by knowledge of the horrors inflicted by the Khmer Rouge on the Cambodian people.