The handover ceremony took place at Gia Lam airport. Vietnamese officials stated that forensic experts from both countries examined the remains on 5/12. Preliminary results suggest the remains may be linked to US military personnel missing from the war in Vietnam. The samples will be transferred to a forensic laboratory in Hawaii for further analysis and identification.
US Ambassador Marc Knapper, representing the US government, thanked the Vietnamese government for its strong and enduring commitment to this humanitarian effort. He emphasized that this act demonstrates the close spirit of cooperation between the people of both nations.
 |
US Army officers processing the handover of remains from Vietnam. Photo: Giang Huy |
US Army officers processing the handover of remains from Vietnam. Photo: Giang Huy
Kelly McKeague, Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), praised the responsibility and capability of Vietnam's agency for searching for missing persons. He noted that the US recognizes Vietnam's ability to conduct unilateral search operations in difficult and challenging terrains.
Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, affirmed Vietnam's full cooperation in the search for missing US military personnel from the early days, driven by a humanitarian spirit. Citing General Secretary To Lam, he stressed that Vietnam does not choose the past but can choose how to view it, and thus choose the future.
According to Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, with mutual goodwill and effort, both sides will continue to overcome the consequences of war and expand cooperative relations, thereby contributing to healing the wounds left by the conflict. He reaffirmed Vietnam's readiness to coordinate closely and provide the most favorable conditions for the search for missing US military personnel.
General Chien also requested that the US increase resources and expand support for Vietnam in addressing unexploded ordnance consequences, dioxin contamination, assisting disabled people and war victims, and in searching for, collecting, and enhancing forensic identification capabilities for the remains of missing Vietnamese soldiers.
 |
Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, speaking at the event. Photo: Giang Huy |
Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, speaking at the event. Photo: Giang Huy
Humanitarian cooperation in searching for and accounting for missing US military personnel in Vietnam began immediately after the Paris Agreement was signed in 1973. To date, this initiative has helped the US identify and return 740 sets of remains to families.
Giang Huy - Son Ha
