Vietnam-US celebrate 30th anniversary of finding Americans missing from war

At the end of the war, 1,973 U.S. military and civilian personnel were unaccounted for in Vietnam. Since then, the remains of 726 personnel have been identified and returned to their loved ones. The two agencies continue their pursuit to account for the remaining 1,247 personnel.

On the evening of December 12th, 2018, the United States and Vietnam celebrated 30 years of sustained cooperation to provide the fullest possible accounting for those Americans still missing from the war in Southeast Asia.  

Vietnam-US celebrate 30th anniversary of finding Americans missing from war ảnh 1
Vietnam-US celebrate 30th anniversary of finding Americans missing from war

Distinguished guests and representatives of the two agencies tasked with this humanitarian mission attended a formal dinner to commemorate this milestone in bilateral ties between the two countries. 

Guests included Caryn McClelland, the U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission; Rear Admiral Jon Kreitz, the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency's Deputy Director of Operations; Bui Thanh Son, Vice Minister Foreign Affairs; Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Vice Minister of National Defense.

The Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Personnel was formed shortly after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973, and tasked to recover and return the remains of missing U.S. service personnel.  

In 1988, the Government of Vietnam allowed a team of U.S. recovery specialists to participate in the first numbered search and recovery activity.  U.S. and Vietnamese investigation, recovery and scientific personnel have since participated in 133 Joint Field Activities with one of those missions cancelled due to severe flooding in the central region of Vietnam, and the other cancelled because of the tragic helicopter crash in which 16 U.S. and Vietnamese team members and helicopter crew perished.

At the end of the war, 1,973 U.S. military and civilian personnel were unaccounted for in Vietnam. Since then, the remains of 726 personnel have been identified and returned to their loved ones. The two agencies continue their pursuit to account for the remaining 1,247 personnel. 

PSNews

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.