(MIA) Missing in action

"Missing in action" (MIA) is a military term used to describe a servicemember who is unaccounted for following a conflict or military operation. When a servicemember is declared MIA, it means that their whereabouts and status are unknown, and they may have been captured, killed, or gone missing. The term is typically used in the context of war and military operations, and the military will often undertake efforts to locate and recover MIA servicemembers. The term "POW" (Prisoner of War) is used to describe servicemembers who have been captured by the enemy.

Here are some helpful web links that provide more information about the "Missing in Action" (MIA) term:

  • The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA): This is a US government agency responsible for accounting for missing servicemembers from past conflicts. The agency's website provides information about its mission and the status of ongoing efforts to recover and identify missing servicemembers. You can find it at: https://www.dpaa.mil/

  • The National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia: This is a non-profit organization that works to provide support to families of servicemembers who were declared MIA during the Vietnam War. The organization's website provides information about its mission and history, as well as resources for families of MIA servicemembers. You can find it at: https://www.pow-miafamilies.org/

  • The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund: This is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving the legacy of those who served in the Vietnam War, including those who were declared MIA. The organization's website provides information about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., as well as resources for families of MIA servicemembers. You can find it at: https://www.vvmf.org/

These links should provide you with a good starting point for learning more about the MIA term and the efforts to account for missing servicemembers.