Re: NLF Update Line

Date: April 16, 2004

"Update Line

POW/MIAs - VIETNAM WAR: According to DoD, there are now 1,862 Americans listed as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, 1,420 in Vietnam, 379 in Laos, 55 in Cambodia and 8 in PRC territorial waters. On April 9th, DPMO reduced the number by two Americans whose remains were jointly recovered in Laos, and one whose remains were jointly recovered in Vietnam, all recently identified. No names have yet been released for public announcement. Over 90% of all Americans missing from the Vietnam War were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Hanoi's wartime control.

CJPAC HOLDS CONSULTATIONS IN VIENTIANE: Commander of Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (CJPAC) BG (P) W. Montague Winfield, USA, was recently in Vientiane for talks with the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs on specific issues that affect the accounting effort in Laos. According to reports, the talks were productive. Semi-annual POW/MIA consultations with the Lao will be held next week to assess recent field operations and plan for the next six months, as well as address outstanding issues than can help continue to improve the operations to achieve more rapid accounting results.

TALKS IN HANOI: Officials from JPAC, DPMO and US Pacific Command held technical talks in Hanoi last week to discuss upcoming field operations, review the outcome of recent activities and conduct an operational assessment. Early this week, DPMO personnel held talks on initiatives begun by DASD Jerry Jennings, including the archival research initiative and wartime leader interview program, in hopes of getting responses that have thus far been withheld. These talks were preceded by exploratory discussions to lay the groundwork required for higher-level decision-making necessary before proceeding on underwater survey and recovery operations.

JOINT FIELD OPERATIONS: JPAC/CIL's worldwide operations are fast-paced and varied. Last week, JPAC halted joint field operations in Laos due to concerns about the safety of Lao West Coast helicopters. A ceremony honoring remains recently recovered was held April 6th. A team of Army aviation experts was called in to take a close look at maintenance and other factors before clearing further in-country flights. The few remaining days of work left to be accomplished will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Teams, including personnel from DIA's Stony Beach, will resume joint operations in Vietnam on April 18th and continue until approximately May 22nd. Recovery teams have recently concluded work in Burma and Palau to recover remains of US personnel killed during World War II, and recovery operations are ongoing in Papua New Guinea and Australia. Excavation of a Korean War F-86 loss in the PRC begins soon, followed by a Cold War recovery operation that will begin in the PRC in late April.

LEAGUE MEETINGS SCHEDULED: A Region III Meeting (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) is scheduled for May 1st at the Naval Education Facility, Newport, RI. Registration Forms are available from Region III coordinator Maureen Dunn, 781-961-2110, or from the League office. As was the case in the recent regional meeting in Columbus, Ohio, US officials with responsibility for POW/MIA accounting efforts worldwide will participate, as will the League's executive director, and all will be open to questions from family members, veterans and other concerned Americans who attend. Call now to register for this meeting.

The League's 35th Annual Meeting will be held June 24-26th again at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel, Arlington, VA. Start planning now to attend. Though the League is nonpartisan and nonprofit, this year's meeting is particularly important as we face another presidential election. Registration and hotel reservation forms have been sent to all League members and are available from the League office by request and through the League website email address. The Defense Department will again provide transportation for two family members per missing man to attend their briefings held each year in conjunction with the League annual meeting. Forms for registration and hotel reservations will shortly be distributed through the Service Casualty Offices.

POW/MIA decals for windows are $20 per 100, and POW/MIA lapel pins are $3 each or 2/$5, by sending a check to the League office. For added information on any subject, please log onto the League's web site, www.pow-miafamilies.org, or call the national office at 703-465-7432.


The National League of Families of
American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia
1005 North Glebe Road
Suite 170
Arlington, Virginia 22201
(TEL) 703-465-7432

Federal Tax ID #23-7071242"