Honoring the Fallen: Labs Working to Bring Closure to Families of Missing Soldiers

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency labs at Offutt Air Force Base and in Hawaii are working tirelessly to bring closure to families of missing soldiers from World War II and other conflicts. With advancements in DNA technology and innovative techniques, the labs are aiming to identify 200 missing soldiers each year.

The urgency of their work is highlighted by Memorial Day and the upcoming 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6. As remains buried on battlefields deteriorate over time, the experts at the labs are racing against the clock to bring answers to families who have been waiting for decades.

One such family was able to bury their cousin, Cpl. Charles Ray Patten, with full military honors after he spent 74 years buried as an unknown in Hawaii. Donna Kennedy, Patten’s cousin, expressed her gratitude for finally being able to honor him and bring closure to their family.

The labs’ work is not easy, as they must piece together identities using historical records, objects found with the remains, military medical records, and DNA testing. Sometimes, the process takes months or even years to confirm an identity.

Despite the challenges, the experts at the labs are dedicated to their mission of returning lost soldiers to their families. As lab manager Carrie Brown stated, “It’s important for their families to show them that we’ll never stop, no matter what.” The work they do is not just about identifying remains, but about honoring the sacrifices made by those who served their country.