National League of POW/MIA Families

DPAA announced on Monday that U.S. Army Pvt. Kwack K. Woo, 31, of Los Angeles, California, killed during World War II, has been accounted for. "In February 1945, Woo was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. His regiment was engaged in fierce fighting near the town of Biesdorf, Germany, when he was reported killed in action by small arms fire on Feb. 9. His body was unable to be recovered due to intense fighting against heavily reinforced German forces on an elevated position. Despite various recovery attempts, Woo’s remains were not accounted for during or after the war." To see a photo, two newspaper articles, and the official news release, scroll through the images below. Welcome home, sir.

Personnel with DPAA at Makapu’u Point as part of the Basic Military Mountaineering Course (BMMC) in Honolulu, Hawaii back on August 5th. BMMC provided training for U.S. service members and DPAA civilians in the fundamental knowledge and skills required to successfully conduct small unit operations in typical, mountainous terrain found throughout the world. To see more photos and learn more about the courses, click the link below. https://lnkd.in/eR3ygNaT

DPAA announced yesterday that U.S. Army Corporal Frederick A. Higgins, 20, of Bremerton, Washington, killed during the Korean War, has been accounted for. Two newspaper articles and the official news release are below. Welcome home, sir.

DPAA senior leaders and civilian employees host a tour for Senior Lt. Gen. Vo Minh Luong, Deputy Minister of National Defense Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Aug. 6, 2024. The visit included a signing of the visitor’s logbook, laboratory tour, and a gift exchange between key leaders. NOTE: It should be said that DPAA has assured not only the League, but the American people, that their operational priority is on VIETNAM WAR accounting efforts. To see more photos and learn additional information about this tour, click the link below. ↓ https://lnkd.in/e6pPgZqN

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Connor Dougherty, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, transfers potential osseous material during an honorable carry at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 28, 2024. The cases were transferred to DPAA laboratories for scientific analysis and possible identification. To see a few more photos, click the link below ↓↓↓ https://lnkd.in/echKPCVu

"During the Korean War, the regiment Army Pfc. William Henry Thompson served on was scrutinized for a perceived lack of courage. Thompson, however, proved that incorrect when he gave his life to allow his fellow soldiers a chance to escape from an enemy onslaught. Thompson posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his selfless valor." Read the incredible #MedalofHonorMonday story below. ↓ https://lnkd.in/eNJtVwDx

U.S. Army Technician Fifth Grade (Tech5) Harold D. Pittis, 21, of Freeport, Ohio, killed during World War II, was announced as being accounted for today by DPAA. To see a photo, newspaper article, and the official news release, scroll through the images below. Welcome home, sir.

"Joined by community members and veterans, the family of the late Major Lewis P. Smith II dedicated the POW/MIA Veteran Tribute Courtyard at the Centre County Grange Fairgrounds, 169 Homan Lane, Centre Hall, to all service members who never made it back home." Click the link below to read the full article! ↓↓↓ https://lnkd.in/eKZS_e4d

DPAA announced yesterday that U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Alfred J. Hamwey, 24, of Jacksonville, Florida, killed during World War II, had been accounted for. "In January 1945, Hamwey was assigned to 360th Service Group, Combat Replacement Training Center, Far East Air Force, and deployed in present day Papua New Guinea. As part of an attempt to neutralize the Japanese threat near Wewak, Territory of New Guinea, Hamwey’s unit attacked enemy defensive positions on nearby Cape Wom. Hamwey was reported as missing in action on Jan. 20, when friendly forces lost contact with the A-20G Havoc bomber he was piloting." To see photos, a newspaper article, and the official DPAA news release, scroll through the images below. Welcome home, sir.

"U.S. service members with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) drape a U.S. flag over a casket during a disinterment ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, July 15, 2024. The United States suffered approximately 36,500 casualties during the Korean War, making up over 90% of non-Korean UN losses." FOR CLARIFICATION - The families of these American heroes did NOT suffer uncertainty all these years, as they were known dead from the time of loss. The National League of POW/MIA Families fully supports these efforts, providing DPAA honors its pledge to continue to put "highest operational priority" on Vietnam War accounting efforts, including answers for the impacted families when remains are not recoverable. To learn more about this ceremony and to see more photos, click the link below ↓↓↓ https://lnkd.in/esdraQYe