News-Info-Alerts

Re: VN Repatriates Remains

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: March 17, 2002

"VN/US relations 03/14/2002
Vietnam hands over remains of American MIA


Da Nang, Mar. 14 (VNA) -- The remains of two American servicemen listed as missing in action were handed over to the U.S. Full Accounting Joint Task Force (JTF-FA) representative by a representative of the Viet Nam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) at Da Nang International Airport in the central city of Da Nang today, Mar. 14.

The remains were found during the 68th Viet Nam-U.S. search, which took nearly one month, from Jan. 10 to Feb. 5. They were examined primarily by Vietnamese and American forensic experts in Ha Noi.

This is the 85th time Viet Nam has repatriated the remains of American MIAs to the U.S. government since 1973. The remains of 793 American servicemen who died in action during the Viet Nam war have thus far been found.

The U.S. government representative expressed thanks to the Vietnamese government and people for their humanitarian policy and effective cooperation in the search for MIAs.

The repatriation ceremony was attended by the U.S. Ambassador to Viet Nam, Raymond F. Burghardt, as well as experts and representatives of the U.S. MIA Office in Ha Noi and the VNOSMP directorate.--VNA "