Overview
75% of the losses are located in the Asia-Pacific
According to Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), "more than 83,000 Americans remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the
Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Gulf Wars/other conflicts. Out of the
83,000 missing, 75% of the losses are located in the Asia-Pacific".
Among the past conflicts in Asia-Pacific, MIAs from WWII is the largest, over 48,000.
Among the past conflicts in Asia-Pacific, MIAs from WWII is the largest, over 48,000.
The figures below are provided by WFI Research Group, updated on April 2015.
Saipan - Commonwealth of the United States of America
MIA and Unknown from WWII in Saipan Total On Land
Death 4,110 -
MIA 505 367
Unknown 71 -
Death 4,110 -
MIA 505 367
Unknown 71 -
Why Saipan?
1) Saipan is a Commonwealth of the United States of America, a part of the U.S. teritory; however, not active recovery of the WWII
fallen has being taken by the government.
2) There has been a lot of construction work going on Saipan to build a Casino hotels and related facilities on the island, and human remains are under danger of possible lost and distruction.
Click here to check the past field work2) There has been a lot of construction work going on Saipan to build a Casino hotels and related facilities on the island, and human remains are under danger of possible lost and distruction.
3) Kuuentai-NPO (Japanese organization) became the first group to return
the US remains from the Japanese side.
It was 2011 that first US Army soldier was found in Saipan.
Kuuentai (Japanese organization) was digging up the burials to recover the Japanese remains, but also found the probable remains of the US servicemen.
Kuuentai received an appreciation letter from JPAC (former DPAA) to thank their cooperation.
Volunteers from Kuuentai (Japan) later motivated to establish US version of "Kuuentai" to search and recover the US missing.
Kuuentai (Japanese organization) was digging up the burials to recover the Japanese remains, but also found the probable remains of the US servicemen.
Kuuentai received an appreciation letter from JPAC (former DPAA) to thank their cooperation.
Volunteers from Kuuentai (Japan) later motivated to establish US version of "Kuuentai" to search and recover the US missing.
・ Field Session in 2014
・ Field Session in 2015
・ Field Session in 2017
・ Field Session in 2018
Pictures from the field work are also available to see from here.
Guam - Territory of the United States
MIA and Unknown from WWII in Guam Total On Land
Death 2,229 -
MIA 282 218
Unknown 86 -
Death 2,229 -
MIA 282 218
Unknown 86 -
Japan including Okinawa
MIA from WWII in Japan Total On Land
Mainland 2,814 -
Okinawa 2,620 -
Iwo Jima 733 -
Mainland 2,814 -
Okinawa 2,620 -
Iwo Jima 733 -
The Philippines
MIA and Unknown from WWII in PH Total On Land
Death 24,658 -
MIA 14,735 -
Unknown 2,799 -
Death 24,658 -
MIA 14,735 -
Unknown 2,799 -
Why Philippines?
The Philipine is a country which holds the largest number of MIA/KIA of US servicemen.
A map from DPAA's website showing the total number of MIA in the Philippines alone.
A map from DPAA's website showing the total number of MIA in the Philippines alone.
"Unknown"
Among these figures of MIAs in each area above,
there are certain number of “Unknowns” who had been buried in the American cemeteries around the world.
They are unknown because the proper identification has not been done so that the government does not know who the person is.
Read the details from the website of WFI Research Group.
For Example: there are certain number of “Unknowns” who had been buried in the American cemeteries around the world.
They are unknown because the proper identification has not been done so that the government does not know who the person is.
Read the details from the website of WFI Research Group.
Staff Sgt. Richard J. Murphy, USMC
Dental Record of the Unknown soldier
from Saipan who have been buried
in the Manila American Cemetery and Monument.
Dental Record of the MIA,from Saipan who have been buried
in the Manila American Cemetery and Monument.
USMC Richard Murphy, from Individual Deceased Personnel File, who served in Saipan.
A Official letter from JPAC:
"Idenitifying the remains of unknowns .... must take a lower priority."
Richard Murphy is no longer missing.
He was officially identified by DPAA in July 2018,
after 4 years working with the families.
Read a Story about Unknown Project
"Idenitifying the remains of unknowns .... must take a lower priority."
Richard Murphy is no longer missing.
He was officially identified by DPAA in July 2018,
after 4 years working with the families.
Read a Story about Unknown Project
