News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: NLF Update Line

Date: March 29, 2001

"Update Line
Thank you for calling the National League of Families Update Line. This message is being recorded on Monday, March 26th. According to the Department of Defense, the number of Americans missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War is still 1,986.

The Department of Defense recently informed the League that the remains of one American, listed as KIA/BNR in North Vietnam since August 30, 1967, had been identified and returned to his family. The remains were jointly recovered on August 4, 1993 and accepted by the NOK as identified on October 21st of last year. DOD has not yet announced the name of this Navy officer from Wisconsin. The remains of Warrant officer 2nd Class Howard B. Comer, missing since November 24th, 1969, were turned over to US officials on December 14, 1993, during joint field operations in South Vietnam. Remains of the third, also US Army, were jointly recovered and repatriated June 27, 2000, but his name was not publicly announced at the request of his family. The fourth American, Mr. Gustav G. Hertz, was a civilian employee of the US Government. Now identified, his remains were unilaterally repatriated by the government of Vietnam in 1989. The accounting for these four Americans brings the number still missing and unaccounted for in Vietnam to 1493; 418 in Laos, 67 in Cambodia and 8 in the territorial waters of the PRC. Over 90% of the 1,986 Americans still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War were lost in areas under Vietnam's wartime control.
Month-long joint field operations in Laos in mid-March. A team of 53 Americans joined technical representatives from Laos to conduct investigations of up to 29 cases and recoveries at three primary sites, with eight alternate locations selected. This is the first field activity in Laos employing the enlarged, 50-person US field team, plus three communications specialists, agreed to by the Lao government. Also in mid-March, joint field operations concluded in Vietnam after 30 days of investigations and excavations at numerous sites around that country. The established practice is to have joint field operations ongoing in either Laos or Vietnam each month, on alternate months.

The Vietnamese are scheduled to visit JTF-FA and CILHI in April for technical talks in an effort to improve the accounting process. Recently, the Lao and Vietnamese unilateral investigation teams provided US officials with reports of their efforts that, hopefully, provide leads that will bring accountability. The Lao agreed to host a seminar in April for officials in their country to hear briefings from US Government specialists; however, the session is being postponed to later this year due to conflicts on the US side.

The League was informed today by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs Bob Jones that he would no longer be serving in his position, effective March 30th. Although the Bush Administration has not yet named a replacement, Jones' Deputy, Alan Liotta, will be serving temporarily as head the DOD POW/MIA office. The League looks forward to working closely with the Bush Administration to achieve our shared POW/MIA accounting objectives.

The next DPMO Family Update will be held in Cheyenne, WY, on April 21st. Family members within a 300 mile radius should have been notified; however, others who wish to attend should contact their Service Casualty Office to register. Those who wish to attend the Veterans Briefing can obtain information by calling 703-602-2102, Ext. 111.

A Regions II and III League meeting will be held May 4-5th at the Naval Education Training Center in Newport, RI. This meeting is open to all League members and, by invitation, to concerned veterans and others, by calling Region III Coordinator Maureen Dunn, 781-961-2110. Billeting in Navy Visiting Officers Quarters will be available on a first come-first served basis.

The League's 32nd Annual Meeting will be held June 21-23rd at Crystal City's DoubleTree Hotel, across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Family members and concerned supporters are urged to attend this important, first annual meeting of the Bush Administration. We again anticipate DOD-sponsored, round-trip travel for two family members per missing man to attend the annual meeting. Registration and hotel reservation forms are now being distributed with the League's newsletter.

POW/MIA car-window decals are available at a cost of $20 per 100 by sending a check to the League office at 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 919, Washington, DC 20036. POW/MIA lapel pins are also available at $3 each or 2/$5. For added information on any subject, please contact the League's web site at www.pow-miafamilies.org or call the national office at 202-223-6846. If no one is available to take your call, please leave a message. Again, thank you for calling. "

The National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia
1001 Connecticut Avenue
Northwest, Suite 919
Washington, D.C. 20036-5504
(TEL) 202-223-6846