Unnamed POWs
We have worked for a long time to get DPMO to establish a
process by which families will be informed of classified information about POWs
that are not specifically named in a given report. At last DPMO head Bob Jones has instituted a policy whereby they
have created what is being called the 'Generic File'. This file will be kept at DPMO offices and will include notices
of withheld documents that do not pertain to any specific man, but which might
pertain to any of the missing men. The
hypothetical example I have used all along is a document that might say,
"Fifty American POWs were taken to the Soviet Union". Previously, because no man was mentioned by name,
none of us would be told about this document, although it certainly would be
relevant to all of our efforts to find out if men were taken alive and held
back.
The
generic file will be available to any family member who comes in to review his
or her loved one's case file. You might
need to specifically ask to see the generic file. I don't know if anyone will tell families about it. If you are going to attend a regional DPMO
family update, and review your case file at that, be sure to ask them to bring
the generic file from their offices.
Mr. Jones
says he will also look at placing copies of the generic file at the National
Archives, the Library of Congress, and on the DPMO web page.
If you
have questions, feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Donna Knox
The document may be viewed on this site @
DEPARTMENTOF DEFENSE POLICY REGARDING
THE RECOVERY AND IDENTIFICATION OF
REMAINSOF MISSING PERSONNEL