DID ONE OF OUR RESEARCHERS CONTACT YOU?
We are honored to be entrusted with the mission of locating the families of the "unaccounted for" with the United States Marine Corps Casualty Division. Our tasks include locating and making the initial connection with descendants of Marines who were lost in past wars, including WWII, the Korean conflict, and Vietnam. Our team provides the USMC with essential research, directly supporting the repatriation process.
As part of our work, you may receive a phone call, email, or letter from our genealogical research team. We understand receiving communications from unfamiliar sources can be concerning. Our company is a Prime Federal Contractor for the United States Department of Defense. We are contracted by the Department of the Navy to conduct research and outreach for the United States Marine Corps.
If you need verification of assignment, please use the contact information provided for your Casualty Office Representative in the communications you received. Additionally, our federal identifiers are listed at the bottom of this page.
OUR MISSION
IDENTIFY, DETERMINE, & LOCATE: NEXT OF KIN
Our contracted tasks include determining the living legal primary next of kin (PNOK) and secondary next of kin (SNOK). These are legal designations based on relationship and age. The PNOK will work with the Casualty Officer to determine the family's wishes and final burial details when remains are identified. The Casualty Officer is an official representative from the USMC. They will provide information, resources, and assistance directly to the missing Marine's family.
IDENTIFY, DETERMINE, & LOCATE: PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO PROVIDE A FAMILY REFERENCE SAMPLE (FRS)
For future identification of remains, Family Reference Samples (FRS) are needed by the Armed Forces DNA Investigative Laboratory (AFDIL). Our contracted tasks include determining family members eligible for a variety of FRS that are utilized for identification. For more information on the security of DNA reference samples, please visit the Defense POW / MIA Accounting Agency website: www.dpaa.mil
Family Reference Samples are not collected or administered by our company. FRS's are managed by the USMC HQ Casualty Office, and the AFDIL Laboratory.
OUR RESEARCH
All of the information provided to and collected as part of our research, is protected under The Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a. During the course of our research our team analyzes vital records, census records, newspapers, and other documents to gather details surrounding the Marines and their family. As part of our research we collect contact information for family members so the USMC Casualty Division can contact family members as they move forward in the investigative process. We may also confirm information surrounding family history to assist with our research.
UPDATES
2025 USMC RECOVERY UPDATES
24 March 2025 - Identification - Cpl. John W. Ruark
2024 USMC RECOVERY UPDATES
11 December 2024 - Pipestone Star - WWII Marine memorialized at Old Woodlawn
USMC / DOD / DPAA LINKS
The official site of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) provides information on the agency's mission to recover U.S. military personnel listed as prisoners of war or missing in action. Here, you can explore DPAA's work, updates, and services for families seeking information on missing loved ones.
The DPAA FamWeb provides information for families of the missing. Learn about upcoming family information meetings, DNA / Family Reference Samples, upload photos to assist with identification, and more.
Learn more about the forensic work that assist in identifying recovered remains. This page provides details on the scientific methods and facilities the DPAA uses to carry out identifications. You can also learn more about how the AFDIL lab approaches their work here, and the family outreach program here.
Follow the DPAA's official Facebook page for real-time updates, news, and stories. The page shares ongoing work and progress in the agency's efforts to bring home unaccounted-for service members.
The DPAA hosts regular meetings throughout the United States to update the families of the missing. Learn more about these meetings and register for a meeting near you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there a fee for your services?
Our research team is contracted and paid by the Department of Defense. Our researchers will NEVER ask for any type of payment for services associated with our USMC / DPAA work.
Can we get a copy of your research on our family?
Our research is limited and prepared for the United States Marine Corps. If you are interested in working with a researcher to learn more about your family history, please let us know and we can refer you to an professional genealogist outside of our company who provides services directly to consumers.
Can you provide information on our family member?
The focus of our work is limited to research purposes only. We do not have access to the Serviceman's case or status. Our mission is to research and provide complete and factual information to the USMC. Once our research is complete, the Marine Corps Casualty Division will be your point of contact moving forward and can provide further information. Additionally, you can obtain a copy of any serviceman's file from the National Archives.