12/07/2024
I copied this from a friends post.
Operation 85 is attempting to determine the identities of servicemen from the USS Arizona that are buried in “unknown” graves in Hawaii. Mr. Kelly K. McKeague
Director, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
241 - 18th Street S, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22202
Dear Mr. McKeague:
I am writing to provide you and your agency with an update on the end-of-year progress and status of “Operation 85”. Over the past year, we have made remarkable strides in our mission to honor the service and sacrifice of the U.S.S. Arizona crew members, and I believe these updates below will underscore the potential of what can be achieved with dedication and innovative methods.
1. Significant Progress in DNA Family Reference Samples
As reported to us on December 3, 2024, by the US Navy & US Marine Corps Casualty Offices, there are now 451 U.S.S. Arizona crew members with viable DNA Family Reference Samples on file at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Lab (AFDIL) (423 Navy and 28 Marines). This marks a monumental increase from the initial 18 FRS samples on file when Operation 85 began last year. Currently, we have another 53 crew member families within the vetting and DNA Kit process, bringing our total located crew members with viable family DNA references to 504.
This progress directly contradicts previous assertions that such results were impractical or impossible to achieve. It also calls into question the March 2022 “Report to Congress” conducted by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, which estimated this effort would take 10 years and $3 million to accomplish. Notably, the Report to Congress itself cost taxpayers $83,000, yet we have achieved our results for far less than that amount—let alone the $3 million projected for a 10-year effort.
2. Family Participation
We are proud to report that 1,086 family members of the U.S.S. Arizona crew (viable & non-viable DNA) have joined and are actively supporting and participating in Operation 85’s efforts.
3. Comprehensive Crew Database
In the past six months, we have compiled the most comprehensive database of documents related to the U.S.S. Arizona crew. This includes, bios, photos, enlistment records, medical records, dental records, original personnel files, and US Army IDPF salvage and recovery files. This data continues to grow and is updated daily as various information continues to come in from multiple sources.
Friday December 6, 2024
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