News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: NLF Update Line

Date: April 17, 2001

"Update Line

Thank you for calling the National League of Families Update Line. This message is being recorded on Friday, April 13th. According to the Department of Defense, the number of Americans missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War is 1,981.

The POW/MIA families were deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss on April 7th of seven American servicemen and nine Vietnamese during a field survey mission in Vietnam. We offer heartfelt condolences to the families of these men and share their loss. We agree with President and Mrs. Bush that the families of these personnel "know better than most the contribution their loved ones made in bringing closure to scores of families across America." The loss to the POW/MIA community is real and will not be forgotten by the families of those still missing and our nation whose noble mission they served. The League is also encouraged by Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld's assurance that the accounting effort will continue. His pledge that the JTF-FA, CILHI and others involved will proceed with excavations and investigations and "continue to search for those still missing in Southeast Asia" was welcome and greatly appreciated. A memorial service was held in Hanoi yesterday and another will be held at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, today.

On April 7th, DOD informed the League that the remains of an Air Force MSGT, jointly recovered in Laos on June 14,1995, were confirmed as identified on April 7th. His name has not yet been publicly announced. On April 6th, the League was informed that the remains of five Americans, listed as missing in North Vietnam since October 20, 1968, also were identified and returned to their families. Jointly recovered on February 14, 1995, these remains were confirmed as identified on March 28th of this year. The names of these five US Army personnel have not yet been announced. In addition, the remains of one US Army private, whose name was not on the list of unaccounted for Americans, were repatriated on April 6th, 1988. After additional information was obtained from the Vietnamese in 1998, his remains were identified and accepted by the family 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 missing and 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 417 in Laos, 67 in Cambodia and 8 in the territorial waters of the PRC. Over 90% of the 1,981 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, begun in mid-March, concluded on April 9th. A team of 53 Americans joined technical representatives from Laos to investigate up to 29 cases and excavate at least three primary sites. This was the first field activity in Laos employing the larger, 50-person US field team. The Lao agreed to host a seminar in April for officials in their country to hear briefings from US Government specialists; however, the long-awaited session is being postponed due to conflicts on the US side.

The Vietnamese POW/MIA team was scheduled to visit JTF-FA and CILHI next week for technical talks, but these discussions have been postponed due to the tragic accident on April 7th, as were joint field operations scheduled to begin in early May.

The Russian members of the US-Russian Commission on POW/MIA will visit Washington, DC, April 23rd - 27th and hold discussions with US officials as well as family members and veterans during that time.

The Bush Administration has not yet named someone to replace Bob Jones as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs; however, DPMO Deputy Director Alan Liotta is serving as interim head of the POW/MIA office. We look 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 to contact their Service Casualty Office to register. Veterans who wish to attend an evening briefing on April 20th 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 interested veterans and citizens by calling the League's Region III Coordinator, Maureen Dunn, at 781-961-2110. Billeting in Navy Visiting Officer 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 were distributed with the League's March 20th 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 "