Resources for missing personnel families

For the families of servicemembers who went Missing in Action during the Second World War, the ensuing decades have no doubt been marked by profound uncertainty. The absence of definitive information about the fate of their loved ones’ left many relatives grappling with unanswered questions and the emotional toll of ambiguous loss. The families of the nine missing airmen from the Joe Noyes Crew all dealt with their grief in different ways, and some held onto the hope that one day their sons might still be found alive.

Efforts to locate, recover, and identify missing personnel have been on-going, with organizations like the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) dedicated to providing the fullest possible accounting to these families. They maintain a searchable database of the missing, and a searchable map. For family members, they’ve also published a useful Family Member Guide (PDF). Family members of the missing can also get in touch with their Service Casualty Office where full-time knowledgeable civilians can answer questions and explain the methods used to account for missing loved ones.

There are also smaller more informal independent efforts like the Kwajalein MIA Project, which is a team of divers, historians, researchers, and experts in areas such as aviation, unexploded ordinance, and archeology, who search the waters of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands to locate the crash sites of American aircraft that went down there during World War II.

There are other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dedicated to searching, locating, documenting, recovering, and repatriating American service members missing in action. Project Recover is a non-profit dedicated to bringing our MIAs home in order to provide recognition and closure for families and a grateful nation.

Advancements in forensic science, particularly DNA analysis, have enabled the identification of remains even after many years, offering long-awaited closure to some. DPAA in particular, has been instrumental in identifying and repatriating the remains of missing servicemen, bringing solace to their families after decades of uncertainty. Yet, for many, the wait continues, underscoring the enduring impact of war on those left behind and the importance of ongoing efforts to honor and remember the missing.

In total, more than 80,000 American service personnel are missing from previous conflicts and 38,000 are estimated to be recoverable (DoD). As of February 2025 the number of Americans Missing and Unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War is 1,573 (National League of POW/MIA Families).

DPAA conducts meetings and government briefings designed to keep family members informed of the U.S. government’s worldwide mission to account for those still missing, and to discuss the latest information available about their specific cases. Since 1995, DPAA has been able to reach more than 17,000 family members during these face-to-face meetings. In 2025, they have scheduled the meeting dates and locations below.

Please be aware that family member updates are tentative and subject to change. Furthermore, the meeting in Omaha is designated for The Vietnam War Annual Government Briefings, and the meeting in Arlington will cover The Korean and Cold War Annual Government Briefings.

February 22, 2025	Sacramento, CA
March 22, 2025	New Orleans, LA
May 3, 2025	Bellevue, WA
June 26-27, 2025	Omaha, NE
August 7-8, 2025	Arlington, VA

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The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), the Kwajalein MIA Project, and Project Recover each play pivotal roles in locating and repatriating missing U.S. military personnel, providing closure to their families. Collectively, these organizations work tirelessly to fulfill the nation’s commitment to leave no service member behind, offering solace and resolution to the families of the missing.