A U.S.-Indonesia team has completed an investigation mission in Morotai, North Maluku, to search for American service members missing from World War II. The effort was led by the U.S. Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), with assistance from the Indonesian military and the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta.
During their time in Morotai, the joint investigation team conducted interviews with 25 individuals and carried out over ten archaeological surveys. They gathered information that may aid in locating the missing personnel. The team examined historical evidence and engaged with local residents to identify potential recovery sites.
“This mission highlights not only our commitment to the families of the missing, but also the strength of our ongoing partnership with Indonesia,” stated U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Blake Garab, who led the mission team. He expressed gratitude for support from both the local community and the U.S. Embassy.
Morotai was a strategic location during World War II's Pacific campaign, serving as a key base for Allied forces starting in 1944. It remains an important site for searching for American personnel who never returned home.
The DPAA conducts global missions with support from host nations and local communities to account for missing American service members. Over 72,000 Americans remain unaccounted for from World War II.
Further details about DPAA’s mission can be found at www.dpaa.mil