Remains of Filipino missing in action in Korean War found

In this Aug. 1, 2018 photo, U.S. soldiers carry transfer cases from a C-17 at a ceremony marking the arrival of the remains believed to be of American service members who fell in the Korean War at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. Forensic investigation would reveal that the remains of U.S. Army Sgt. Maximiano T. Lacsamana were among them. North Korea handed over the remains a week before this photo was taken. AP PHOTO

WASHINGTON— The United States Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced December 19 that U.S. Army Sgt. Maximiano T. Lacsamana, 37, of Macabebe, Pampanga, Philippines, killed during the Korean War, was accounted for Sept. 30, 2019.

In late 1950, Lacsamana, a veteran of the Philippine Scouts during World War II, was a member of Company I, 3^rd Battalion, 31^st Regimental Combat Team, 7^th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in intense fighting with the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces near Hagaru-ri, North Korea.  He was reported missing in action Dec. 3, 1950.  Following the war, his remains could not be recovered.

On July 27, 2018, following the summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in June 2018, North Korea turned over 55 boxes, purported to contain the remains of American service members killed during the Korean War.  The remains arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii on Aug. 1, 2018, and were subsequently accessioned into the DPAA laboratory for identification.

To identify Lacsamana’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence.  Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis.

Today, 7,603 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously returned by Korean officials, recovered from Korea by American recovery teams or disinterred from unknown graves. Lacsamana’s name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

For family information, contact the Army Casualty office at (800) 892-2490.

Lacsamana will be buried in the spring of 2020 in the Philippines. The exact date and location have yet to be determined. For future funeral information, visit www.dpaa.mil.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa  or call (703) 699-1420/1169.

Lacsamana’s personnel profile can be viewed at https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt00000012j8XEAQ