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With over 2,000 unaccounted for Americans during the Indochina Conflict in 1975, more than 500 U.S. service members deployed in Lao PDR never returned home. With the continued recovery efforts of DPAA and cooperation of the Lao government, there are now 294 Americans listed as still missing in action up to this date.
During the field activity, DPAA Deputy Director Rear Adm. Jon Kreitz visited the sites and witnessed U.S. and Lao teams’ unbridled hard work and dedication. Either from a daily helicopter ride or rough mountainous truck drive, recovery teams work together with the locals, excavating over 1,500 square meters of mountainside terrains, barren land, and berms, and screening buckets of soil for pertinent possible material evidence that may lead to identifying missing service members.
Senior Team Leader Army Capt. Alexandra Long said that the team’s cohesion, great initiative, and strong work ethic completely made the mission a successful one.
“It’s an incredible task, I could not have asked for a better team. We were willing to do whatever it took to find our missing. When you have team members tell you that this mission was the most difficult, challenging, but rewarding experience that changed their life, that is amazing to hear as a leader.”
She added, “I can say without hesitation I am very proud and honored to have been a part of such amazing team and what they all left on the field.”
On a very rare occasion, Mr. Donald Johnson, a pararescue combat veteran, who survived a combat air rescue mishap in Laos, toured one of the recovery sites and upon conclusion of the JFA, he graciously shared his journey at a debriefing meeting in Vientiane.
He expressed his gratitude to the team members, he said, “One family member awaits for their loved one to come home, and all of you made that happen.” He added that he is honored and very impressed to see everyone’s contribution and efforts in fulfilment of the mission.
This JFA include 64 personnel from DPAA and from various branches and military installations, undertaking unique roles from linguist to EOD technicians to medics as their specific job or as a recovery non-commissioned officer assisting their team leader in every task, working together seamlessly not only with the group but also with the local Lao workers.
“It’s probably the hardest days in my career but the most motivating thing is why we were there, we were there to give closure to these families, we were there to bring one of own home,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman April Hall. “This mission gives them the closure they need and for me that’s the meaning behind it.”
The month and a half long mission might be short-lived but it definitely left a lasting impact to personnel who were hand-picked to be part of the JFA.
“I would like to come back to every mission,” said Navy Chief Petty Officer Jairon Rivera. “The camaraderie that was built between myself and my team and also the Lao workers is astounding… this definitely strengthened our bonds to work even more productively and passionately to bring our fallen heroes home, I’m really honored to be part of this rewarding mission.”
With the efforts of the investigation and three recovery teams, possible remains and life support evidences were found during the operation. These were repatriated and brought back to American soil. Upon arrival to the U.S., remains will be transferred to DPAA’s laboratory for further evaluation by forensic anthropologists at the agency’s skeletal identification laboratory.
The mission of the DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation until they are home.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.16.2018 11:06 |
| Story ID: | 259013 |
| Location: | LA |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, An Enduring Way Home, by CPO Claire Farin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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