Since 1973, the remains of more than 1,000 Americans killed in the Vietnam War have been identified and returned to their families for burial with full military honors. For more than two decades the U.S. has conducted joint field activities with the governments of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to recover the remains of missing Americans. Throughout these countries, field teams continue to investigate crash and burial sites, as well as interview locals to gain additional knowledge. The U.S. also continues to obtain access to historical wartime records and archives that provide information relevant to the fates of missing Americans. Today, more than 1,600 Americans remain unaccounted for from the conflict.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), a Department of Defense Organization, is responsible for POW/MIA accounting operations in Vietnam and around the world. The Agency’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel from past conflicts to their families and the nation. While the U.S. Embassy, Hanoi, is a partner in DPAA’s mission, U.S. citizens seeking information on DPAA’s operations, or on specific cases, should contact DPAA via their website at:
http://www.dpaa.mil/Contact/Contact-Us/
U.S. citizens with inquiries on DPAA’s operations or on specific cases may also contact DPAA’s Public Affairs Office at:
DPAA Public Affairs Office
Washington, D.C.
2300 Defense Pentagon
Attn: External Affairs
Washington D.C. 20301-2300
DPAA has a small office in Hanoi, Vietnam, which is responsible for coordinating search operations within country. However, this office will does not have the most complete information on individual cases or on policy issues related to accounting operations. U.S. citizens and POW/MIA families are encouraged to engage DPAA using the contact information provided above.
Note for POW/MIA Families: If you have questions pertaining to your unaccounted for loved one, please ensure you are in contact with the respective Casualty Officer (see contact information, below). Your Service Casualty officer is your primary point of contact for updated information on your loved one.
Service Casualty Offices serve family members. Each military department maintains a service casualty office. The Department of State does the same for civilians. The officials in these offices serve as primary liaisons for families concerning personnel recovery and accounting. Full-time knowledgeable civilians who have worked this issue for many years, help answer family member questions. Military officials also assist and help explain the methods used to account for families’ missing loved ones. Each office dedicates for family use the following addresses and telephone numbers:
U.S. Air Force
HQ AFPC/DPFCM
550 C Street West
JBSA-Randolph, TX 78150-4716
Tel: 1 (800) 531-5501
U.S. Army
Department of the Army
Attn Past Conflicts AHRC-PDC-R
1600 Spearhead Div. Ave, Dept. 450
Fort Knox, KY 40122-5405
Tel: 1 (800) 892-2490
U.S. Marine Corps
Headquarters U. S. Marine Corps
Manpower and Reserve Affairs (MFPC)
Personal and Family Readiness Division
2008 Elliot Road
Quantico, VA 22134-5103
Tel: 1 (800) 847-1597
U.S. Navy
Navy Personnel Command Casualty Assistance Division (PERS-13)
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38055-0000
Tel: 1 (800) 443-9298
Website
State Department
U.S. Department of State CA/OCS/ACS/EAP
SA-17, 10th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20522-1707
Phone: (202) 485-6106
