Re: Remains of US MIA Found in North Korea

Date: June 25, 2004

"United States Department of Defense
News Release
No. 608-04
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2004

Remains of American MIA Found in North Korea

            Remains believed to be those of an American soldier missing in action from the Korean War have been recovered by a U.S. team and will be repatriated at Yongsan Military Compound in Seoul on July 1.
 
            The joint remains recovery work is the result of negotiations with North Korea led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs, Jerry D. Jennings.  The remains will be returned overland from North Korea across the demilitarized zone as was done in late May for the first recovery operation of 2004. 
 
            A joint team operating near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea recovered the remains believed to be those of a U.S. Army soldier from the 7th Infantry Division who fought against Chinese forces November-December 1950.  Approximately 1,000 Americans are estimated to have been lost in battles of the Chosin campaign.
 
            The 28-person U.S. contingent was composed of specialists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, where the remains will be flown to begin the forensic identification process. 
 
            Since 1996, 29 joint operations have been conducted in North Korea, during which more than 200 remains believed to be those of U.S. soldiers have been recovered.  Of the 88,000 U.S. service members missing in action from all conflicts, more than 8,100 are from the Korean War.
 
            For additional information about POW/MIA recoveries, visit http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo , or call the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office at (703) 699-1169."