News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: NLF - Update LIne

Date: April 06, 2001

"Update Line

Thank you for calling the National League of Families Update Line. This message is being recorded on Friday, April 6th. According to the Department of Defense, the number of Americans missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War is now 1,982.

DOD today informed the League that the remains of five Americans, listed as missing in North Vietnam since October 20, 1968, were identified and returned to their families. Jointly recovered on February 14, 1995, the remains were accepted by the NOK as identified on March 28th of this year. DOD has not yet announced the names of these US Army personnel. In addition, the remains of a US Army private, whose name was not previously on the list of unaccounted for Americans, were recovered on April 6th, 1998, and accepted by the families on October 3rd of last year. Finally, Mr. Frank Bytheway, a civilian lost in a US Navy incident on October 2, 1969, has been added to the list of Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. The result of these adjustments and corrections is that the number now missing and unaccounted for in Vietnam is 1,489, with 418 in Laos, 67 in Cambodia and 8 in the territorial waters of the PRC. Over 90% of the 1,982 Americans still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War were lost in areas under Vietnam's wartime control. The names of all involved will be on this update line as soon as released by the Defense Department, providing the respective families concur.

Month-long joint field operations in Laos began 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, brought leads that will help 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.

On March 26th, the League was informed by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs Bob Jones that he would no longer be serving in his position. His last day in the office was March 30th. Although the Bush Administration has not yet named a replacement, DPMO Deputy Director Alan Liotta is serving as interim head the 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 a Veterans Briefing the prior evening can obtain information by calling 703-602-2102, Ext. 169.

A League meeting for those in the Central and North Eastern United States (VA to ME) will be held May 4-5th at the Naval Education Training Center in Newport, RI. The meeting will be open to all League family and associate members and, by invitation, to other concerned veterans and citizens, by calling the League's Region III Coordinator, Maureen Dunn, at 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. 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
Federal Tax ID #23-7071242"