RUSSIAN PRESIDENT NAMES CHAIRMAN:  On June 17th, President Dmitri Medvedev issued Decree #815 naming as Russian Co-Chairman of the US-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs (USRJC), Ms. Yekaterina Priezzheva, head of the Education Department, Ministry of Defense.  All members of the Russian side of the USRJC were also named as counterparts to the American Chairmen of the Working Groups that focus on each war, from the Vietnam War working back to World War II.  Additional information will be provided once details are available from the Joint Commission Support Directorate (JCSD), led by Mr. David Martin, Commission Executive Secretary, and his Deputy, Roger Schumacher.

Executive Director Comment: The League found very capable partners and fellow advocates in the leadership of the VFW, The American Legion, the DAV, the Jewish War Veterans (JWV), AMVETS and the VVA, inspired by General Robert “Doc” Foglesong USAF (Ret) US Co-Chairman.  The family groups representing the Korean War/Cold War and WWII united with the League to push for strengthening the USRJC and its support team, JCSD.  It is still a work in progress, but there is reason for cautious optimism that the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) will restore at least some of the personnel previously assigned to JCSD, as well as much of the funding that was diverted elsewhere.  We all are watching the situation closely, as there has been a significant failure in working with the families, not only in the League, but all POW/MIA families, all wars.  To say that there is growing dismay and disappointment is an understatement.  Letters to the President and his National Security Advisor, copied throughout the leadership, would not have been necessary had DPMO leadership listened to the views of their primary “customers,” namely the families. .  

AMERICANS IDENTIFIED: There are 1,687 Americans listed by the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. DPMO recently posted the news that SFC William T. Brown, USA, CA, listed as MIA in South Vietnam on 11/3/69, and Major Thomas E. Reitmann, USAF, MN, listed as MIA in North Vietnam 12/1/65, are now accounted for.  SFC Brown’s remains were jointly recovered on 4/13/10 and identified 1/6/11. Major Reitman’s remains were recovered 2/12/10 and ID’d 5/2/11.  In mid-May, DPMO posted the names of Air Force Col Leo S. Boston, and US Army CAPT Arnold E. Holm, Jr., SP4 Robin R. Yeakley and PFC Wayne Bibbs as all accounted for.  Col Boston, from Colorado, was listed as MIA in North Vietnam on 4-20-66. His remains were recovered 4/26/00 and ID’d on 4/4/11.  CAPT Holm, from CT, SP4 Yeakley, from IN, and PFC Bibbs, from IL, were listed as KIA/BNR in South Vietnam on 6/11/72.  Their remains were recovered 7/29/08 and ID’d as a group on 2/7/11.  The number of Americans returned and identified since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is now 896; another 63 US personnel, recovered post-incident and identified before the end of the war, bring the total to 959.  Of the 1,687 unreturned American veterans from the Vietnam War, our POW/MIAs, 90% were lost in Vietnam or in areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control: Vietnam – 1,294 (VN-475, VS-819); Laos – 328; Cambodia – 58; Peoples Republic of China territorial waters – 7.  Over 450 were over-water losses.

ACCOUNTING COOPERATION:  As of today, JPAC has one Research Investigation Team (RIT), one Underwater Investigation Team (UIT), two Recovery Teams (RTs), and one Underwater Recovery Team (URT) in Vietnam.  There are only two RTs in Laos, far less than allowed for each 30-day Joint Field Activity (JFA), and the number of personnel operating in Vietnam is also greatly reduced.  The operations were even smaller until passage of the FY2011 budget was confirmed, then some of the previously planned operations were restored.  The UIT is a month-long survey by the USNS Bowditch along the coastline of Vietnam, though not yet along the northern coastline. 

Technical talks were held in Hanoi April 27th, the first such talks since the League Delegation in March.  There was discussion of the League proposal accepted by senior Vietnamese officials in which it was agreed to renew multi-national technical-level efforts to access and utilize relevant archival documents, primarily from Vietnam, that could expedite joint operations to account for missing US personnel, especially along Vietnam’s borders with Laos and Cambodia.  Although the concept is still in the planning stage, it was important that momentum not be lost and that JPAC Commander MG Stephen Tom raise the proposal in general terms as worthwhile to pursue.  Working level talks with Vietnam to discuss implementation will again be held later this month, and JPAC-led consultations with the Cambodian POW/MIA committee took place June 15th in Phnom Penh. 

Korean War Accounting: There are again two Recovery Teams (RTs) in South Korea, despite the fact that there have been no successful field recoveries there to date, due to heavy population that dramatically reduces chances for successful excavations, but JPAC is trying.  Due to prohibitions against going into North Korea, the best hope for Korean War accounting at present lies in identifying remains previously returned unilaterally by the North Koreans or by identifying disinterred remains from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) that were buried as unknowns. The scientific ID process has advanced dramatically and is now enabling such IDs to be made; however, more forensic anthropologists are needed.  Unfortunately, these specialized scientists are being used far too often for other purposes, including field investigations, instead of focusing greater attention on identification of remains. 

WWII Accounting:  JPAC also has one Phase Two Testing Team (P2T) on Wake Island, one Advance Work Team (ADVON) in Germany and one Investigation Team (IT) in the Federated States of Micronesia, all focused on WWII remains recoveries.  WWII-related investigations and remains recovery operations have been widespread and recently concluded in Papua New Guinea.   

LEAGUE DELEGATION RESULTS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: League Executive Director Ann Mills-Griffiths and Senior Policy Advisor Richard T. Childress met with US and foreign officials in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia in March of this year.  The delegation traveled first to Laos, where they visited two excavation sites in the south, then on to Vietnam on March 16th and to Cambodia on March 20th, before returning to Bangkok on March 23rd and back to the US.  A summary report was published in the April 11th League Newsletter.   More information will be available at the League’s 42nd Annual Meeting, July 21-24th, as noted below.   . 

42nd ANNUAL MEETING JULY 21-24, 2011:  This year’s annual meeting is critical as we look at transitions that are taking place within the League and the entire POW/MIA community, and there is much to decide in terms of the League’s and the issue’s future.  Opening Session will be on Thursday, July 21st, 9:00 a.m.  There will be two very full days of presentations by senior US and League officials, briefings by analytic personnel, field operators, scientists and guest presenters on the complete range of issue-related policy and operational matters.  A three-hour Question & Answer Session with US officials will be held on Saturday morning, July 23rd, followed by the bylaw-mandated League Business Session. 

The 42nd Annual Dinner & Candlelight Ceremony will be on Thursday, July 21st, an event that is always inspirational.  Cost this year is again $55.00 per person.  Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General James E. Cartwright, USMC, is confirmed as dinner speaker.  On Friday night, there will be a tour of the newly designed POW/MIA corridor in the Pentagon, followed by a brief stop at the USAF Memorial.  BINGO Night will conclude all activities on Saturday, July 23rd.  

Hilton Reservations: Call 1-800-HILTONS (800-445-8667), noting affiliation with the League’s 42nd Annual Meeting, or go to www.hilton.com, and use Group Code “POW” to get the special rate of $149.00 (plus taxes) per room, per night, single or double.  Deadline to secure the special rate is June 22nd, but we are seeking an extension.  The block of rooms is limited, so reserve now to ensure desired accommodations are available.  There is free shuttle service from Reagan National Airport to the Hilton Crystal City Hotel.

Registration: The form to register is available online at the League’s website (www.pow-miafamilies.org) or by calling the League office (703-465-7432).  Complete the form and return it to the League office with your check for registration ($50 per League member; $65 for non-League-members), plus $55 per person for the 42nd Annual Dinner and Candlelight Ceremony.  All registration is being handled in advance by Liz Flick, Ohio State and Region IV Coordinator.  Credentials can be picked up on Wednesday, July 20th, 3:30–5:00 and 7:00–9:00 p.m. Registration will end at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday morning, and re-open for a half hour after the Opening Session – the last chance to purchase tickets for the 42nd Annual Dinner.

Silent Auction: There will be a Silent Auction, smaller in scope and open fewer hours.  Funds generated are sorely needed and this event has been highly successful each year.  Therefore, we are again seeking suitable items for display and purchase.  Please be very selective.  Bring the item(s) with you and deliver them (with an itemized list that includes value) to the Mt. Vernon Room, 1st floor of the Hilton, adjacent to the Casualty Offices, or send them to the League office.     

Program Ad Rates: The League annually publishes a beautiful program, including individual ads honoring missing US personnel, ads supporting the League, etc.  The flyer on the League website provides the 2011 Program Ad Rates. Deadline for receipt of ads is June 30th. If possible, email your camera-ready ad to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and mail a copy with payment to the League. 

THE LEAGUE IS NATIONALLY ELIGIBLE FOR COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN (CFC) DONATIONS, #10218