The United States continues its commitment to accounting for personnel missing from the Vietnam War, a mission sustained through cooperation with the Vietnamese government. This collaboration began before formal diplomatic relations were re-established and remains crucial to the partnership between the two nations.
The U.S. has accounted for 752 Americans missing in Vietnam, providing closure to families. For the estimated 1,157 recoverable individuals, joint archival research and field investigations with Vietnam help fulfill this responsibility.
Since 2015, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) has sent over 97 investigation teams and 167 recovery teams to Vietnam. Despite COVID-19 travel restrictions, Vietnam conducted independent investigations and recoveries. Funding supports these efforts, including aviation support and local labor forces for site excavations.
In the past decade, U.S.-Vietnamese efforts have identified 35 missing personnel through joint work and Vietnamese sources. The United States views this mission as a solemn obligation.
During his visit to Vietnam on July 9-11, 2025, DPAA Director Kelly McKeague met with Vietnamese officials to reaffirm commitment to MIA cooperation. Both sides aim to enhance coordination and use advanced technologies for locating American personnel. McKeague also participated in inaugurating a DNA lab in Hanoi with Ambassador Marc Knapper and Vietnamese leaders, marking progress in war legacy efforts.