SACRAMENTO, CA — On Saturday, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) hosted its largest-ever family member update, drawing over 500 Gold Star families to learn about ongoing efforts to locate and repatriate the remains of service members still missing from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
The gathering underscored the DPAA’s commitment to its “sacred obligation” of accounting for nearly 82,000 U.S. service members missing in action across multiple conflicts. Principal Deputy Director Fern Sumpter Winbush set the tone for the event, emphasizing the mission’s importance. “Not only is this mission a sacred obligation, but it’s a moral imperative. We will continue to put [the] mission first. We’re not going to accept defeat. We’ll never quit, and we’re never going to leave a comrade behind,” said Winbush.
The Global Reach of Recovery
For decades, DPAA has led the charge in reuniting families with their loved ones and keeping their legacies alive. Since 1995, over 31,000 family members have met with DPAA officials for personalized updates on their cases. Currently, 71,981 service members remain unaccounted for from World War II, 7,444 from the Korean War, 1,573 from the Vietnam War, and 126 from the Cold War.
This year, the agency is expanding operations into 33 countries and territories, including ongoing efforts in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines. Building these international partnerships has been crucial, as access to these sites often depends on earning the trust and cooperation of foreign governments.
DNA Key to Identification
Highlighting a critical yet often overlooked step in their process, Winbush urged family members to ensure their DNA samples are submitted. “We can’t make an identification unless we have something to compare it to,” she said, calling attention to the many unresolved cases that lack family reference samples.
Beyond DNA, a generational commitment to the mission was stressed. Many attendees included third- and fourth-generation family members, a sign that passing the story of loved ones who went missing in action remains vital for continued advocacy.
Families’ Stories Take Center Stage
Among those present was artist Jeannie Huffman, daughter of Navy Cmdr. Edward James Jacobs Jr., a Vietnam War pilot who disappeared during a mission over the Gulf of Tonkin in 1967. Huffman was just two weeks old when her father deployed and five months old when he was declared missing. For decades, her family searched for answers, and after years of exhaustive research, her father’s case was reopened in 2024.
Now, Huffman’s poignant artistry resonates as part of the mission she holds so dear. Her design is featured on DPAA’s annual poster for National POW/MIA Recognition Day, slated for Sept. 19, 2025. The poster includes period-correct depictions of service members from each branch of the military and the conflicts from which some have yet to return. “I believe that each of our missing is still seeking their way home, and they expect that our nation’s promise will be kept,” she said.
Renewing the Promise
The DPAA doesn’t just keep promises—it reestablishes them year after year. Through updates like this weekend’s event, the message was clear: the search continues with urgency and reverence.
With tens of thousands of service members still unaccounted for, the agency calls on families, communities, and even international partners to help fulfill this generational mission. Whether through providing DNA, sharing family histories, or supporting the agency’s work, every action is a step forward.
“We serve the families because you are the ones that are still here,” Winbush said, grounding the mission in the importance of history, dedication, and human connection.
Looking ahead, DPAA is poised to advance its mission across borders, turning once-forgotten battlegrounds into sites of hope and closure. Respecting the legacy of the past while pioneering future recoveries, the message remains steadfast—these heroes will never be left behind.
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