Noteboom The Law Firm

Remains of Vietnam POW/MIAs Awaiting Identification

June 29, 2010 - As loved ones are sent to war, the thoughts of them not returning are too morbid to even consider. Those thoughts belong to others, families tell themselves, because everyone involved needs to believe their soldier will return following their service to their country. The nature of war, unfortunately, makes these thoughts and fears a reality for many Americans.

Ron Ward is the Spokesman for the U.S. Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command detachment in Hanoi, Vietnam. Ward is in possession of remains and according to a statement, believes once they are identified, they will prove to establish the identity of 3 U.S. soldiers killed while serving in Vietnam. Ward forwarded the remains to the U.S. so that final identification can be performed.

According to Ward, the first set of remains, believed to be a U.S. Marine, were found and retrieved in the Central Province of Quang Nam. The two other sets potentially belong to downed pilots and were handed over to the POW/MIA Accounting Command detachment by local Vietnamese citizens.

The U.S. MIA office reports having had 655 remains sent home since the Vietnam War ended in 1975. According to the MIA office, there are approximately another 1,720 service members still missing from those soldiers assigned to Southeast Asia. Of these, 1,313 are missing from Vietnam alone.

Identifying remains is a slow process in itself. To start the identification process, however, the remains must be in our possession. The more time passes, the more unlikely it is to recover remains. Fortunately for us, the people tasked with this job are dedicated to ensuring that all soldiers come home.