Programs & Events
Possible American Remains Repatriated to the U.S.
Pochentong Airport, Phnom Penh
September 17, 2007
In a solemn ceremony at Pochentong Airport in Phnom Penh, the Kingdom of Cambodia and the United States of America conducted a joint repatriation to the U.S. of the possible remains of an American. The remains were formally turned over to U.S. Ambassador Joseph A. Mussomeli by General Pol Saroeun, Deputy Commander in Chief, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Chairman of the Cambodian POW/MIA Committee.
The possible remains were recovered during joint investigation and recovery field activities conducted in Sihanoukville last week. Following the ceremony, the remains were transported to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command’s Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii, where they will undergo extensive forensic and other analysis before positive conclusions can be drawn about individual identification. In deference to privacy considerations of the families, the names of individuals associated with any remains cannot be discussed.
In his remarks, Ambassador Mussomeli said, "At a time when our country continues to send its sons and daughters to the far corners of the Earth, our gathering here today in honor of our colleague is a poignant reminder of their sacrifices. These men and women are the best that we are. They are our nation’s greatest and most precious natural resource and like all such resources they need to be honored and never squandered. We owe it to them to never forget their sacrifices, to always honor their memory, and to strive as a nation to build peace, justice and freedom everywhere."
The Ambassador also praised the Cambodian government for being "gracious and extraordinarily helpful" in assisting the United States conduct joint recovery operations in the Kingdom.
The recent recovery operation in Cambodia began on August 15, 2007 and was conducted by an 18-person joint team with representatives from the Cambodian government and the U.S. Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command. With the assistance of province officials and local workers, the joint team searched for remains of U.S. personnel in Kampong Cham and Sihanoukville provinces. Operations for this particular mission concluded with the conduct of the repatriation ceremony. It is believed that the remains of 55 unaccounted for Americans are located in Cambodia.
