STATEMENT BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHN KELLY FORMER COMMANDER, DETACHMENT TWO JOINT TASK FORCE - FULL ACCOUNTING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY MILITARY PERSONNEL SUBCOMMITTEE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SECOND SESSION, 105TH CONGRESS ON POW-MIA OVERSIGHT POLICIES,

2 OCTOBER 1998

Thank you for this opportunity to brief you on my experiences in Vietnam. Since 1992, Joint Task Force - Full Accounting has been the focal point for the U.S. government's operational efforts to gain the fullest possible accounting for Americans lost during the conflict in Vietnam. It was a unique experience for me to command Detachment Two of the task force from June 30, 1997 to July 7, 1998.

Recently, the Pentagon announced the identification of the remains of two servicemen formerly unaccounted-for in Vietnam. Currently, 2,079 Americans remain listed as unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. Of that number, 1,552 were lost in Vietnam. JTF-FA has developed an investigation, excavation and a unilateral investigation program to obtain answers and information on our unaccounted for Americans.

VIETNAM

I would now like to discuss the activities conducted in Vietnam during my tenure as the Detachment Two Commander. From June 30, 1997 through July 7, 1998, JTF-FA conducted 5 JFAs, or joint field activities in Vietnam. We completed over 100 investigations and over 40 excavations. Teams operating in Vietnam brought back approximately 30 sets of remains believed to be those of unaccounted for Americans during my tour.

In 1992, JTF-FA conducted five JFAs in Vietnam, each with about 55 U.S. personnel each. These early teams had to face many operational and logistical limitations. Now, the task force averages five 30 day JFAs per year in Vietnam, but with 90-100 U.S. specialists split into eight or more investigation/recovery teams. The teams enjoy increased latitude and support in accomplishing the mission in the field. As a result of combined U.S./Vietnamese efforts, remains believed to represent 282 (does not include 52nd JFA figures) Americans have been returned to the U.S. since January 1992 from Vietnam. The Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii has achieved and continues to achieve identifications of Americans previously unaccounted for from Vietnam.

During my tenure as the Detachment Commander, we developed, with the Vietnamese government, a comprehensive unilateral investigation program. Unilateral actions involve those cases which require host nation specialists to obtain information which can be followed up in a joint manner. In January 1997, JTF-FA eliminated one scheduled JFA to allow Vietnamese investigators time to pursue unilateral work. In the August 1997 meeting with the VNOSMP (Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons), JTF-FA's reviewed the concept, goals and objectives of the unilateral investigation program. In addition to establishing specific periods, we agreed to prioritize investigation requirements and provide intermediate feedback. There were two unilateral investigation period during my tenure as the DET 2 Commander. Unilateral investigation periods are now included in JTF-FA yearly operational plans.

In general, the most recent Vietnamese unilateral reports of investigation demonstrate a significant effort to carry out the specific actions requested by DPMO and JTF-FA analysts. The reports are generally quite detailed, well researched and organized in a coherent manner. The Vietnamese appear willing to pursue leads generated during their own investigations and to offer suggestions regarding future steps to resolve these cases. Their attitude and cooperation in helping to develop the unilateral program is commendable.

We also have an oral history program in which numerous interviews of Vietnamese veterans and government officials have been conducted. This number is in addition to the several hundred interviews conducted as part of the Joint Field Activities. In addition, the Vietnamese are currently conducting unilateral investigations based on leads provided by the U.S. Vietnam has already completed three successful unilateral investigations periods and is scheduled to conduct three more during late 1998 and early 1999.

CONCLUSION

I am extremely proud to offer views of my experience as a former detachment commander for Joint Task Force - Full Accounting at this hearing today. I can assure you that the men and women who currently work with the task force are hard working Americans who put themselves in harm's way each time they deploy to Southeast Asia in our quest to bring this issue to resolution. Though I am no longer a part of the organization, I am proud of the role I played, and I assure you that JTF-FA is committed to achieving the fullest possible accounting of the 2,079 Americans still unaccounted for, and to relieving the burden the families carry every day.