The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) is a branch of the military with the mission "to achieve the fullest possible accounting of all Americans missing as a result of the nation's past conflicts." Part of this mission is identifying remains of individuals who have died in those conflicts.
One of the primary methods of identification is through the use of mtDNA. If they can extract mtDNA from the remains, the next step is to compare it to family members to confirm identification. This type of DNA is only passed down from the mother to her kids. Males have it but don't pass it on.
On their website, JPAC currently includes five Phillips (see below) on their Missing in Action list. They are trying to locate relatives to confirm identities. This doesn't necessarily mean they have found Phillips remains - it means that if they did find them, they would like to have a DNA sample from a relative that they could use for comparison.
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SOUTHEAST ASIA |
PHILLIPS, BENJAMIN F JR |
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MARYLAND |
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KOREA |
PHILLIPS, DENNY P |
USS KEARSAGE CV 33, CAG 11- CARRIER AIR GROUP |
VIRGINIA |
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KOREA |
PHILLIPS, DUANE M |
307TH BOMBARDMENT WING (MEDIUM), 371ST BOMBARDMENT SQD |
ILLINOIS |
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WORLD WAR II |
PHILLIPS, MILO E |
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SOUTHEAST ASIA |
PHILLIPS, ROBERT B |
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NORTH CAROLINA |
The Phillips DNA Project is in an ideal situation to help find the relatives of these men, get DNA samples, and hopefully assist in returning the remains of these soldiers home. If you know any of these five Phillips, and especially if you are related - please contact the Phillips DNA Project administrator or JPAC. For more information - their website is http://www.jpac.pacom.mil/CIL/FRS_Home.htm