169th US Military Repatriation Ceremony

The 169th signing ceremony of the protocol on the repatriation of US military remains. (Photo: Bao Chi)

The event took place in the context of activities towards the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (July 12, 1995 - July 12, 2025), marking a long journey of promoting healing, normalization and development of Vietnam - US relations from former enemies to today's comprehensive strategic partnership.

The handover ceremony was attended by the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Office for Search of Missing Persons (VNOSMP), representatives of the Ministries of Defense, Foreign Affairs and Public Security.

On the US side, there were US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper, representatives of the US Embassy, ​​the US MIA Office in Hanoi, a number of US veterans and US MIA experts participating in the 158th joint search (March - April 2025).

The 169th ceremony to return the remains of US soldiers took place in Da Nang City. (Photo: Bao Chi)

At the ceremony, Vietnam handed over to the United States four boxes containing remains, the result of a recent joint search effort between Vietnamese and US search teams in Thua Thien Hue, Quang Tri and Kon Tum provinces.

Previously, on April 15, these remains were examined by forensic experts from Vietnam and the United States and preliminarily concluded that they may be related to US soldiers missing in action during the war in Vietnam and will be transferred to a forensic laboratory in Hawaii for analysis and identification.

Humanitarian cooperation activities to search for and account for US soldiers missing in action during the war in Vietnam were implemented by the two countries immediately after the Paris Agreement was signed in 1973. To date, positive results have been achieved, helping the US identify and return the remains to the families of 735 out of 1,973 US soldiers missing in action during the war in Vietnam.

Delegates attend the 169th Ceremony to Return the Remains of US Soldiers. (Photo: Bao Chi)

This is a very meaningful result for the American people and the US Government, contributing to promoting cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war between the two countries in general, including the US side's efforts in searching for and identifying the remains of Vietnamese martyrs who are missing; clearing bombs and mines; detoxifying dioxin and supporting people with disabilities caused by the war.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/le-trao-tra-hai-cot-quan-nhan-hoa-ky-lan-thu-169-311697.html