News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci
(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: Pentagon Confident Unknown Identifiable

Date: June 12, 1998

Stating that although there was no 100% chance of identification, the Pentagon is confident that the 'very good DNA sample' acquired from the exhumed Tomb of the Unknown remains, may provide long overdue answers.

Now that the genetic sample has been extracted it will be compared to DNA samples provided by 8 of 9 families that may be related to the Unknown. All nine possible matches were selected as the result of POW or MIA servicemen unaccounted-for in a small region of South Veitnam in mid-1972. The ninth family could not provide genetic testing samples as their were no surviving matrilineal members.

The remains, entombed in 1984, were exhumed May 14th and transferred to WRAMC after much contemplation and comment by a variety of veterans organizations and politicians both in favor of and against the opening of the Tomb and subsequent testing measures. However, with DOD's miserable track record of accountability for Prisoners of War and Missing in Action from all wars, it is the very least they can do to provide some family with an answer.

Perhaps the truth may never be fully told, but an answer is certainly a good place to start.