The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) conducts Family Member Updates (FMU) in communities across the country for family members with loved ones who are unaccounted for from past conflicts from World War II through more recent conflicts. These updates are designed to inform family members of the U.S. government’s worldwide mission to account for those still missing, and to discuss in detail the latest information available about their specific cases.
On January 20, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) personnel will be in San Diego to meet with families of loved ones who are unaccounted for from the Vietnam War to to World War II. Family members will be briefed on what the government is doing to bring their loved ones home and honor their missing loved one in a Remembrance Ceremony. Family members will also be able to have a two-way conversation with casualty officers from the military services and other government specialists to ask specific questions about their loved ones’ loss.
The Department of Defense is committed to keeping families of the missing and the public informed about the efforts being made to account for our missing U.S. personnel. Throughout the year, DPAA specialists meet with hundreds of family members of missing personnel in Washington, D.C., Hawaii, and major metropolitan areas across the country. These meetings are designed to address the individual needs of the family members.
POW/MIA Stats
Fulfilling Our Nation’s Promise
Vietnam: Of the currently 1,601 U.S. personnel still missing from the Vietnam War, 165 are from California. Of those who have been accounted for, 116 are from California.
Korea: Of the currently 7,713 service members still missing from the Korean War, 594 are from California. Of those who have been accounted for, 29 are from California.
Cold War: Of the 126 service members missing from the Cold War, 22 are from California.
World War II: Of the currently 72,951 service members missing from World War II, 5,637 are from California.
Identifications: In Fiscal Year 2017, DPAA accounted for 183 service members and civilians. In Fiscal Year 2016, DPAA accounted for 160 service members. To date, in Fiscal Year 2018, DPAA has accounted for 16 service members.
DPAA has conducted these family update programs since 1995, reaching more than 26,000 family members in face-to-face meetings.
For additional information about this program and the U.S. government’s mission of the fullest possible accounting of personnel lost from wars dating back to World War II, visit DPAA’s website at www.dpaa.mil, find them on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call (703) 699-1420/1169.
