Teams from the United States Department of Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Personnel Accounting Agency (DPAA) are currently operating in Papua New Guinea from July 12 to September 2025. The agency has been active in the country since 1978, working to account for about 3,300 Americans who went missing during World War II.
The DPAA advance team has held meetings with U.S. Embassy staff, the National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG), and the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF). They have also met with provincial and village leaders in Madang, Morobe, East New Britain, and Oro provinces.
“DPAA is grateful for PNG’s continued support in the search for our missing,” said Capt Cole Euverard, mission lead. “Every mission brings us closer to accounting for our nation’s heroes and bringing them home to the United States to be laid to rest by their families. Without the support of the U.S. Embassy, NMAG, PNGDF, and provincial and local level leadership, we would not be able to bring our grandfathers, fathers, and uncles home. Thank you, Papua New Guinea, for your continued support in this sacred duty.”
The DPAA's work involves investigation and recovery teams traveling globally to recover service members missing from past wars and conflicts.
U.S. Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman Tinsae Tekleab participated as an independent provider during a recovery mission on August 1, 2025. The DPAA advance team also met with a local landowner in Hamelingin Village before starting recovery efforts there.