Your help is needed to identify
remains recovered from North Korea!

With the exception of one buried in the Tomb of The Unknowns, all unidentified remains which were repatriated after the Korean War are buried at the Punchbowl, the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Oahu, Hawaii.  Prior to joint recovery efforts, North Korea returned 224 sets of remains, five of whom were positively identified. Since the start of joint recovery efforts in 1996 more than 200 additional sets of remains have been recovered with over 100 positively identified and returned to their families for burial with military honors. 

The reference mitochondrial DNA (maternal DNA) database is nearly complete but there are two additional types of DNA which can be collected from family members to assist in identification.   These are nuclear DNA which can be obtained from both the male and female relatives and Y-chromosome DNA which is obtained from the male side of the family.  It is so important for families of missing servicemen to donate a family reference sample (FRS) because when a substantial number have donated samples, the likelihood of accurate identification is greatly enhanced.  When you request a DNA sample kit from your Casualty Officer, complete instructions and packaging are provided to you.  In addition, once sequencing is complete, a copy of the report is returned to the individual.

Actions to be taken

• Remind your Representatives that our government needs to stand by their commitment to consider the POW/MIA issue the highest of national priorities.

• Contact your casualty officer at the toll free numbers below and request a sample kit.

mtDNA Chart

Mother The mother is the logical starting point since she passed the mtDNA to the missing person.	Brother The brother inherited the same mtDNA as the missing person but does not pass it on to his children.	Sister The sister passes the mtDNA along to both her male and female children.
Aunt, the Mother's Sister The aunt of the missing person has the same mtDNA as the mother of the missing person.	Cousins on the Mother's Side Cousins may be male or female as long as their mother and the missing person's mother were sisters.	Sister's Offspring Both male and female children of the missing person's sister have the mtDNA, but only the females will pass it on to their children.

The mtDNA line will continue as long as there is a female family member arising from the mother's side to pass it along to the next generation.  Your Casualty Officer will help you determine if you or another family member is a candidate to provide a mtDNA sample.

Y-Chromosome DNA Chart

Father The father of the missing person.	Brother The brother inherited the same yDNA as the missing person.	Son The brother passes the yDNA along to his sons.
Uncle, the Father’s Brother The uncle of the missing person has the same yDNA as the father of the missing person.	Cousins on the Father’s Side Male cousins, as long as their father and the missing person's father were brothers.	Son's Offspring Male offsprings of the missing person's son have the yDNA, and will pass it on to their sons.

The yDNA line will continue as long as there is a male family member arising from the father’s side to pass it along to the next generation.  Your Casualty Officer will help you determine if you or another family member is a candidate to provide a yDNA sample.

Nuclear (Autosomal) DNA is the third type of cells in the human body that is used in the identification process  The Nuclear DNA molecule is found in nearly every cell in your body and can be obtained from the smallest biological specimen.

The ability of the forensic scientist to type nuclear DNA has given the forensic investigator the same power to identify a person as a set of fingerprints or dental x-rays when compared to a missing person.

Primary sources of DNA may be obtained from oral swab, blood, fingernail, hair shaft (mtDNA only), teeth, or tissue biopsy.  Alternative sources of DNA may be obtained from combs, wristwatches, glasses, hearing aids, clothing, electric razors, toothbrushes, or envelopes.  (1)

 

Contact Information

U.S. Air Force

HQ AFPC/DPFCM
550 C Street West, Suite 14
JBSA-Randolph, TX 78150-4716

Tel: 1 (800) 531-5501
Website: https://www.afpc.af.mil/library/airforcepowmias.asp

U.S. Army

Department of the Army
Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Center
1600 Spearhead Div Ave, Dept 450
Fort Knox, KY 40122-5405

Tel: 1 (800) 892-2490
Website: https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/Past Conflict Repatriations Branch PCRB Mission Statement

U.S. Marine Corps

Headquarters U. S. Marine Corps
Manpower and Reserve Affairs (MRC)
Personal and Family Readiness Division
3280 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-5103

Tel: 1 (800) 847-1597
Website: https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/portal/page/portal/M_RA_HOME/MF/C_PERSONNEL/Casualty

U.S. Navy

Navy Personnel Command
Casualty Assistance Division (OPNAV N135C)
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38055-6210

Tel: 1 (800) 443-9298
Website: https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/casualty/Pages/NavyPOW-MIA.aspx

U.S. Department of State

Overseas Citizens Services
U.S. Department of State
4th Floor
2201 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20037

Tel: Phone: (202) 647-5470
Website: (none provided)

Links for additional information

The Korean War Project

Coalition of Families

Korea Cold War Families of the Missing

National Alliance

Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL)

Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO)

Library of Congress

National Archives & Records Administration

 

This page created in memory of Lt. Charles and Enid Garrison

By Jan Curran

 

 

Dad's Story "For God's Sake, Bail Out Now"  

You are not forgotten.

Please consider supporting the Korean War Project.
Your tax deductible contribution may be in memory of a loved one,
friend, or for all the "forgotten heroes."

Janis (Garrison) Curran

3555 E. Harvard Court
Gilbert, AZ 85234

Phones:
Landline 480-659-7217
Cell 480-868-7397

Korean War Project
https://www.koreanwar.org