Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Commander Rear Adm. Jonathan Yuen welcomed Dr. Timothy P. McMahon, a forensics expert supporting the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, in a POW/MIA recognition program held at Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Sept. 15.

The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory provides scientific consultation, research and education services in the field of forensic DNA analysis to the Department of Defense and other agencies.

"From America's earliest hours as a free nation, we have known the cost of liberty is steep," Yuen said in his opening remarks. "The bill has been paid in full by the courageous members of our armed forces. We owe a great debt to all who have served so faithfully and sacrificed so much, both past and present."

"One of the key players dedicated to bringing our fallen home is our guest speaker today," Yuen added.

McMahon is deputy director, Forensic Services, ARP Sciences LLC, supporting the DoD DNA Registry, part of the only federal medical examiner's office, where he facilitates DNA-analysis techniques to help the military identify deceased servicemen and servicewomen. The DoD DNA Registry, Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory is working with the newest innovations in Forensic DNA Science, Mitochondrial DNA Hybridization Capture and Next Generation DNA Sequencing.

McMahon noted there are still thousands of service members who never came home. These include 73,121 World War II missing; 7,801 Korean War missing; 1,618 Vietnam missing, and 132 missing from the Cold War and other conflicts.

"Most of all, we must continue to honor the families of these brave soldiers and understand that their loss and need for closure does not dissipate with time," McMahon said.

In fiscal year 2016, the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory helped bring closure to 139 families. Among those found were Marine Pfc. James S. Smith (Tarawa, World War II); Army Cpl. Donald R. Hendrickson (Korean War); and Air Force Maj. Dean A. Klenda (Vietnam War).

He went on to say the United States was the first and only country that established and continues to fun fund a directive for the fullest possible accounting of prisoner-of-war and missing-in-action personnel. He said other countries are beginning to follow our lead, such as the Republic of Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Australia.

Yuen thanked McMahon for his work and also said, "Keeping this spirit alive are the volunteers who organized this program."

NAVSUP's mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. With headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP oversees logistics programs in the areas of supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, and security assistance. In addition, NAVSUP is responsible for food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods.

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