Families of Korean, Cold War soldiers tour identification lab on Offutt AFB

A total of 200 identifications were made this year, but it's barely a dent in Dr. Carrie Brown's caseload.

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‘You love our loved ones as much as we do’: Families of Korean, Cold War soldiers tour identification lab

OMAHA, Neb. —

A total of 200 identifications were made this year, but it’s barely a dent in Dr. Carrie Brown’s caseload.

“We estimate at any given time we have about a thousand active cases that we’re working through,” Brown said.

Brown managed the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identification lab at Offutt Air Force Base. Her team focuses on naming soldiers from World War II, like the 26 caskets brought to Offutt from Europe this week.

“When we think about one transfer case as one person, that’s not always how it works,” Brown said. “Our anthropologists are worldwide experts in sorting remains that are mixed up.”

Her job also includes giving tours to families looking for answers. Among them, Col. Richard Dean II is hoping to hear about his grandfather, a Korean War soldier.

“My mom was really die-hard on trying to solve the case to find his remains, but that never happened,” Dean said. “So we’re carrying on; the third generation is carrying on the mission.”

Identification requires pieces like DNA samples, dental records, archaeological evidence and records. The team doesn’t stop until they make an identification.

“We keep trying,” Brown said. “We have cases right now that we have been stuck on for a long time and we keep going.”

Dean said it’s been years since he provided a sample, but he’s grateful for the lab’s work. There’s a second DPAA identification lab in Hawaii specializing in the Korean War and other Pacific conflicts.

“There’s no gravestones right now for them to go visit or for family members, and it’s great to see large families come together and actually celebrate the loss of their loved ones in a positive manner,” Dean said.

For Brown, reuniting these soldiers and their families is the ultimate honor.

“One of the comments from a family member last night was, ‘It’s amazing that you love our loved ones as much as we do, and you care for them,'” Brown said.

If your loved one is missing in action and you want to find them, start by providing a DNA sample to the DPAA. Go to DPAA.mil and reach out to the service casualty office for your soldier’s branch.

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