Kelly McKeague, Director of the US Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) on July 10 visited the National Archives Center III under the State Records and Archives Department of Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs as part of his visit to Vietnam

In his speech at the visit, McKeague noted that 2025 marks several significant milestones: 50 years since Vietnam’s reunification, 30 years of Vietnam–US diplomatic relations, and most notably, 40 years since the United States first deployed a team to search for missing servicemen in Vietnam.

He emphasized that, shortly after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973, Vietnam established a dedicated agency to search for those missing in war, and has since played an active and cooperative role in assisting the US with these efforts.

Expressing his gratitude, particularly on behalf of the families of missing US personnel, McKeague stated both nations have become comprehensive strategic partners, and at the foundation of that relationship is Vietnam’s effort to assist in the search for the missing.

To date, with Vietnam’s cooperation, the identities of 740 missing US servicemen have been confirmed and their remains returned to their families. According to McKeague, access to information, especially archival records, is critical, as 1,157 US personnel are still unaccounted for. Many of these cases are extremely difficult due to the lack of available data.

He underscored that the search for information is the essential first step, sometimes offering the crucial clues that help recovery teams determine whether they are in the right location or working with the right witness. Having spent 10 years in this field, McKeague recalled many moments of cooperation and information sharing between the two countries. He expressed appreciation to the Vietnamese archival sector for helping the US access records and materials of interest.

On the US side, McKeague said that archival centers in the United States are open to the public, and American universities and archives are proactive in providing information to the Vietnamese side.

He recalled that a few years ago, the United States had provided detailed information about a mass grave containing 35 Vietnamese soldiers, and he had personally handed the documents to then-Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc. According to him, it was an unforgettable moment, as Ambassador Ngoc burst into tears and said the information was immensely valuable, especially for the 35 families who would finally learn what had happened to their loved ones.

Dang Thanh Tung, Director General of the State Records and Archives Department of Vietnam, noted that Vietnam’s archival sector has cooperated not only with the United States but also with France to provide information supporting the search for missing military personnel, in response to families’ needs. Having served in the military for 14 years himself, he understands the humanitarian significance of the mission to locate the missing.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese archival sector will continue to proactively collaborate and exchange information with the United States.

US servicemen’s remains found in Vietnam repatriated

A ceremony was held in the central city of Da Nang on September 10 to hand over to the US side remains believed to be of US servicemen missing in action (MIAs) during the war in Vietnam.

Ceremony held to repatriate remains believed to be of US servicemen

A ceremony was held at Da Nang International Airport, the central city of the same name on July 16 to repatriate four sets of remains believed to be of US soldiers missing in action (MIAs) during the war in Vietnam.