Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Maithong Thammavongsa (third right) witnesses the handover of remains of a US serviceman missing in action, alongside other officials at Pakse International Airport on Monday.

Remains of wartime US service member to be repatriated

The government on Monday handed over the remains of a US service member who died during past conflict, at a ceremony held at Pakse International Airport in Champasak province under the latest joint Lao-US recovery programme for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
The handover of the remains followed the completion of the second joint field operation of the fiscal year, carried out by Lao and US teams at multiple sites across the country.
The mission focused on Case 2052 at Phou Pha Thi in Phouthong village, Samneua district, Huaphan province; Case 1743 in Vaktai village; and Case 1384 in Talangmai village, Kaleum district, Sekong province. Of the three cases investigated, remains were discovered in Case 2052.
The ceremony was presided over by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Maithong Thammavongsa, representing the Lao government.
He reaffirmed Laos’ consistent humanitarian policy in cooperating with the United States of America to account for US personnel missing in action (MIA) during the war in Laos.
Representing the United States, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. to the Lao PDR, Ms Michelle Outlaw, accepted the remains and expressed appreciation for the continued cooperation and support provided by the Lao government, local authorities, and communities in survey and excavation areas.
Over the past 41 years, Lao and US teams have conducted surveys and excavations across the country, from north to south, with active assistance from local officials and residents in accordance with the conditions and capabilities in each area.
To date, the remains of 295 US personnel have been identified and repatriated out of 576 reported missing cases — more than 50 percent — while efforts continue to locate and recover the remaining 281 individuals.
The Lao and US governments reaffirmed their commitment to sustained humanitarian cooperation in carrying forward this important work.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update February 25, 2026)