In keeping with the President and First Lady’s commitment to honor the sacrifices of all who serve - veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors - the League's POW/MIA flag was restored to its globally recognized position on top of the White House. This action reaffirms our Nation's commitment to account as fully as possible for American Prisoners-of-War and Missing-in-Action, as well as other US personnel still unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War and wars and conflicts further past, thus ending the uncertainty of their families.
National League of POW/MIA Families
6920 Braddock Road, Suite B213
Annandale, VA 22003
6920 Braddock Road, Suite B213
Annandale, VA 22003
THE MEN ARE THE MISSION
As of February 6, the number of Americans Missing and Unaccounted-for from
the Vietnam War is 1,581.
As of February 6, the number of Americans Missing and Unaccounted-for from
the Vietnam War is 1,581.
The Way Ahead
Minister of Public Security General To Lam received a delegation of the US National League of Families of Prisoners of War and Missing in Action (POW/MIA), which was on a visit to Vietnam, on December 12, in Hanoi.
Click here to read more!
Click to read more!
Thousands of Men Have Come Home Because of Him
Johnie Webb has spent nearly half a century spearheading the search for those missing in action from America’s wars. Now, he’s finally getting his own homecoming..
For nearly half a century, Johnie Webb has been the heart and soul of the Pentagon’s effort to put the pieces back together for thousands of families whose loved ones were taken prisoner, killed in action, or buried in an unknown grave and never got their proper homecoming. He has navigated the fraught politics in the aftermath of an unpopular war, balancing the sometimes-competing interests of Congressional budgets with those of anguished family members who turned their grief into activism. Though approximately 80,000 U.S. service members are still unaccounted for, the team Webb built at what is now the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has located and identified and returned to their families for a proper burial the remains of more than 3,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from far-flung battlefields as far back as World War II and as recent as Iraq. Read more here!
Johnie Webb has spent nearly half a century spearheading the search for those missing in action from America’s wars. Now, he’s finally getting his own homecoming..
For nearly half a century, Johnie Webb has been the heart and soul of the Pentagon’s effort to put the pieces back together for thousands of families whose loved ones were taken prisoner, killed in action, or buried in an unknown grave and never got their proper homecoming. He has navigated the fraught politics in the aftermath of an unpopular war, balancing the sometimes-competing interests of Congressional budgets with those of anguished family members who turned their grief into activism. Though approximately 80,000 U.S. service members are still unaccounted for, the team Webb built at what is now the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has located and identified and returned to their families for a proper burial the remains of more than 3,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from far-flung battlefields as far back as World War II and as recent as Iraq. Read more here!
Today, January 27th, we remember the 50th Anniversary of the signing in 1973 of the "Paris Peace Accords" that ended active US involvement in the Vietnam War. Families around the world, but mostly in America, breathlessly awaited word of as to whether their loved one would be coming home, and shortly thereafter, 591 POWs returned to national celebrations. Thankful for all who returned, Vietnam War POW/MIA families continue seeking answers, an end to uncertainty that we've pursued since before the end of that long-ago war...........YOU CAN HELP..........Please let President Biden know you are grateful that our POW/MIA flag flies over the White House......signaling worldwide our Nation's commitment to accounting as fully as possible for America's 1,581 unreturned Vietnam War Veterans.
Soldier Accounted For From
Vietnam War (Green, T.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Pfc. Thomas F. Green, 19, of Ramona, California, killed during the Vietnam War, was accounted for Aug. 23, 2022.
In October 1971, Green was assigned to the 68th Aviation Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group. On Oct. 26, Green was serving as the door gunner on a CH-47B Chinook helicopter when it went down over water in bad weather while flying from Tuy Hoa to Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam. Remains of four of the 10 Soldiers on board were recovered during search and rescue operations following the crash, but Green was not accounted for.
An unsuccessful recovery attempt was made in 1974 when divers from the Joint Casualty Resolution Center dove on what was believed to be the crash site. A number of investigation and recovery efforts took place between 1994 and 2021 with a June 2021 recovery mission finding possible human remains and material evidence.
To identify Green’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as material and circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.
Green’s name is recorded on the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with others who are unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Green’s will be buried in Ramona, California on Feb. 23, 2023.
www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/3139077/soldier-accounted-for-from-vietnam-war-green-t/
In October 1971, Green was assigned to the 68th Aviation Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group. On Oct. 26, Green was serving as the door gunner on a CH-47B Chinook helicopter when it went down over water in bad weather while flying from Tuy Hoa to Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam. Remains of four of the 10 Soldiers on board were recovered during search and rescue operations following the crash, but Green was not accounted for.
An unsuccessful recovery attempt was made in 1974 when divers from the Joint Casualty Resolution Center dove on what was believed to be the crash site. A number of investigation and recovery efforts took place between 1994 and 2021 with a June 2021 recovery mission finding possible human remains and material evidence.
To identify Green’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as material and circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.
Green’s name is recorded on the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with others who are unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Green’s will be buried in Ramona, California on Feb. 23, 2023.
www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/3139077/soldier-accounted-for-from-vietnam-war-green-t/
Ann Mills-Griffiths, chairwoman of the board of directors of the National League of POW/MIA Families, praised Cambodia for being one the league’s most supportive partners as it sought to repatriate the remains of American soldiers who went missing during the war.
Mills-Griffiths offered her thanks during a courtesy call with Minister of Interior Sar Kheng at the National Assembly on December 6.
“Despite the Covid-19 situation in Cambodia, the Kingdom has shown that there has been no slowdown in the search for the remains of missing American soldiers, and progress has been made. Cambodia has worked closely with its US partners,” she said.
During the meeting, she told Sar Kheng that she has visited Cambodia many times, but this would likely be her last journey to the Kingdom. She extended her thanks to King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen, Sar Kheng and all of the officials who had worked tirelessly to provide humanitarian assistance in helping search for the remains of missing Americans.
www.phnompenhpost.com/national/us-powmia-chair-praises-kingdom
Mills-Griffiths offered her thanks during a courtesy call with Minister of Interior Sar Kheng at the National Assembly on December 6.
“Despite the Covid-19 situation in Cambodia, the Kingdom has shown that there has been no slowdown in the search for the remains of missing American soldiers, and progress has been made. Cambodia has worked closely with its US partners,” she said.
During the meeting, she told Sar Kheng that she has visited Cambodia many times, but this would likely be her last journey to the Kingdom. She extended her thanks to King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen, Sar Kheng and all of the officials who had worked tirelessly to provide humanitarian assistance in helping search for the remains of missing Americans.
www.phnompenhpost.com/national/us-powmia-chair-praises-kingdom
Ann Mills-Griffiths, Chairman of the Board/CEO, National League of POW/MIA Families Visits The Queen Mother Library of the Documentation Center of Cambodia
PLEASE GIVE! HELP BRING HOME AMERICA'S POW/MIA,
OUR UNRETURNED VIETNAM WAR VETERANS!
OUR UNRETURNED VIETNAM WAR VETERANS!
Though names of Vietnam War missing seldom appear in recent DPAA releases, the League is thankful that US personnel lost in WWII and the Korean War are being disinterred from US cemeteries worldwide and, in a few WWII cases, being recovered. These Americans are being identified and returned to their families for burial with full military honors. The League is grateful that our efforts since formation on May 28, 1970, are now bringing about long-overdue recognition, but remains hopeful that answers on our Vietnam War missing will soon increase and end the uncertainty of impacted families. Ann Mills-Griffiths, Chairman/CEO
MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced four burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted-for from World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:
-- Army Cpl. Tommie T. Hanks, 27, of Fort Worth, Texas, was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. On Nov. 26, 1950, he was reported missing in action while his unit was attempting to withdraw from east Ch’ongch’on River near Anju, North Korea. Following the war, his remains could not be recovered and there is no evidence that he was a prisoner of war. Hanks will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on a date yet to be determined. Read about Hanks.
-- Army Pfc. Francis P. Martin, 25, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in battle with German forces near Lichtenberg, France, when he was wounded and reported missing. With no body recovered and the Germans never reporting him as a prisoner of war, on Jan. 17, 1946, the War Department issued a finding of death. Martin will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on a date yet to be determined. Read about Martin.
-- Army Staff Sgt. James Rotunno, 27, of Brooklyn, New York, was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in the Battle of Reipertswiller in France when it was surrounded by German forces. On Jan. 20, 1945, his unit and four other companies attempted a break-out through German lines. Rotunno was among those killed the following day and his body could not be recovered. He will be buried in Rutherford, New Jersey, on a date yet to be determined. Read about Rotunno.
-- Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Walter Nies, 23, of Eureka, South Dakota, was assigned to 96th Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force. On Jan. 24, 1944, the B-17F Flying Fortress bomber on which he was serving as a tail gunner was shot down by enemy fighters. The crew was captured by Germans, and Nies was among those sent to Stalag Luft 6 prisoner of war camp. Nies died on May 28, 1944, after being shot. He will be buried in Eureka, South Dakota, on a date yet to be determined. Read about Nies.
MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced four burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted-for from World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:
-- Army Cpl. Tommie T. Hanks, 27, of Fort Worth, Texas, was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. On Nov. 26, 1950, he was reported missing in action while his unit was attempting to withdraw from east Ch’ongch’on River near Anju, North Korea. Following the war, his remains could not be recovered and there is no evidence that he was a prisoner of war. Hanks will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on a date yet to be determined. Read about Hanks.
-- Army Pfc. Francis P. Martin, 25, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in battle with German forces near Lichtenberg, France, when he was wounded and reported missing. With no body recovered and the Germans never reporting him as a prisoner of war, on Jan. 17, 1946, the War Department issued a finding of death. Martin will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on a date yet to be determined. Read about Martin.
-- Army Staff Sgt. James Rotunno, 27, of Brooklyn, New York, was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in the Battle of Reipertswiller in France when it was surrounded by German forces. On Jan. 20, 1945, his unit and four other companies attempted a break-out through German lines. Rotunno was among those killed the following day and his body could not be recovered. He will be buried in Rutherford, New Jersey, on a date yet to be determined. Read about Rotunno.
-- Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Walter Nies, 23, of Eureka, South Dakota, was assigned to 96th Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force. On Jan. 24, 1944, the B-17F Flying Fortress bomber on which he was serving as a tail gunner was shot down by enemy fighters. The crew was captured by Germans, and Nies was among those sent to Stalag Luft 6 prisoner of war camp. Nies died on May 28, 1944, after being shot. He will be buried in Eureka, South Dakota, on a date yet to be determined. Read about Nies.
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Leader of Vietnam POW organization speaks on the Central Coast ahead of Veterans Day
One of the most recognizable flags in the country hangs from the nation’s capital and public buildings in cities across the country – it's the flag of
Vietnam POWs and MIA.
Ann Mills-Griffiths, the CEO of the National League of POW/MIA Families was on the central coast, the guest speaker at the Active Seniors center in Salinas.
Please click on link below:
www.ksbw.com/article/leader-of-vietnam-pow-organization-speaks-on-the-central-coast-ahead-of-veterans-day/41929679
One of the most recognizable flags in the country hangs from the nation’s capital and public buildings in cities across the country – it's the flag of
Vietnam POWs and MIA.
Ann Mills-Griffiths, the CEO of the National League of POW/MIA Families was on the central coast, the guest speaker at the Active Seniors center in Salinas.
Please click on link below:
www.ksbw.com/article/leader-of-vietnam-pow-organization-speaks-on-the-central-coast-ahead-of-veterans-day/41929679
Click below to access our National League of
POW-MIA Families Facebook page.
POW-MIA Families Facebook page.
RAF LAKENHEATH POW/MIA Activities.
Thank you, Mr. Bob Hale, Education Development Volunteer @ Bentwaters Cold War Museum (BCWM) and UK / European Coordinator for the National League of POW/MIA Families
Thank you, Mr. Bob Hale, Education Development Volunteer @ Bentwaters Cold War Museum (BCWM) and UK / European Coordinator for the National League of POW/MIA Families
The League is always seeking for photos of POW/MIA flag, monuments, Missing Man Honors Tables, and POW/MIA empty chairs from your community to feature on our social media pages and website.
Sharing with us is easy, just message your photos to the League Facebook page or admin@pow-miafamiles.org with a brief description of when & where
the photo was taken.
All proper credits will be given.
Sharing with us is easy, just message your photos to the League Facebook page or admin@pow-miafamiles.org with a brief description of when & where
the photo was taken.
All proper credits will be given.
Mark Stephensen (League Vice Chairman), Ann Mills-Griffiths (League Chairman of the Board/CEO), and Gene Peters
Accounting for all of the missing will never be possible, but working together, we can and will achieve the fullest possible accounting for America's Vietnam War POW/MIAs.
This message reaches those serving today in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and at bases, posts and stations around the world. They NEED TO know if captured or missing while serving, our nation will be there for them.
This message reaches those serving today in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and at bases, posts and stations around the world. They NEED TO know if captured or missing while serving, our nation will be there for them.
Contact us
nationalleague@pow-miafamilies.org | (703) 465-7432