THE US Embassy and the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA) has hosted a repatriation ceremony yesterday to repatriate possible remains of two fallen Service Members of the World War II.
The possible remains were found during recovery missions in Papua New Guinea through the partnership with PNG locals, the government, PNG Defense Force, Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, and the National Museum and Art Gallery.
The two possible remains were extracted from East Sepik and Morobe Provinces after locals contacted the US Embassy after watching over the remains for 80 years (since WWII).
The Deputy Director for Operations, DPAA, Captain Meghan Bodnar gave her remarks and said that to date, over 300 American Heroes identified in PNG were sent to DPAA forensic laboratory in Honolulu, Hawaii for thoroughly examination.
“The mission whose culmination we recognize today lasted 117 days and in five sites across three different provinces; East New Britain, Madang, and Morobe Province,” Capt. Bodnar said.
“Today’s repatriation ceremony represents being one step closer to identify, account for, and return loved ones to their families; many of whom have been searching for eight decades.”
Captain Bodnar noted that more than 3000 personnel from the WWII still remains in PNG, so the search for the unaccounted will still continue.
Speaking at the ceremony, Charge d’Affairs, US Embassy, Alex Berenberg said that the recovery of the possible remains of the service members is a testament to the unyielding prompts that U.S will never forget those who served and sacrificed for their nation.
Mr. Berenberg extended his gratitude to the partners and stakeholders who helped with the recovery mission stating that the mission was not just about recovery; it was about community-providing direct economic benefits to the provinces and region as well.
“DPAA’s mission continues, and through the strength of our partnerships, we will persevere until every last remain is brought home (United States),” Mr. Berenberg said.
The repatriated remains will be transferred to the Daniel K. Inouye DPAA Centre of Excellence on Joint Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for analysis and possible identification as part of the agency’s ongoing effort to account for U. S personnel still missing.
Following identification, DPAA works with service casualty officers to ensure that the remains are returned to their families.