Arlington: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday underscored the Pentagon's "sacred" duty to return "every fallen hero until the end," vowing not to forget the sacrifices of American troops who were taken as prisoners of war (POWs) or remain unaccounted for. Hegseth made the remarks during an annual event marking "National POW/MIA Recognition Day" at the Pentagon in Arlington as senior U.S. defense officials, foreign military attaches, and family members of the fallen and unaccounted-for troops joined the event. MIA stands for missing in action.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the special day is observed each year to honor POWs and missing U.S. service members who fought during armed conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. "We are working every day to restore the warrior ethos, and one of those core elements of the warrior ethos is I will never leave a fallen comrade," Hegseth said in his speech at the Pentagon's parade field in Arlington. "It is our sacred duty to uphold that ethos and ensure that we return, whenever possible until the end, every fallen hero," he added.

The Pentagon chief noted that nearly 81,000 troops remain missing from World War II, the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War, as he stressed his department's mission to deliver a "final answer" to their families. "It's our mission to return them to American soil and provide a final resting place here at home for the heroes who fought for their country," he said. "It is our commitment to you that we will work unceasingly to bring our warriors home, and we will never forget their service and sacrifice."

The secretary also mentioned his visit to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) earlier this year, during which the agency announced the identification of the 100th service member from remains North Korea sent under a 2018 agreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Pyongyang handed over 55 boxes of Korean War troop remains to the U.S. under the leaders' summit agreement in Singapore in June 2018. "(The identification) was announced thanks to a historic agreement secured by President Trump in his first term," Hegseth said.

In his remarks, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy George introduced the story of Army Corporal Melvin Huff, who was killed in action during World War II and accounted for in July last year, as he pointed out that there are "so many moving stories to tell of courage, strength, and sacrifice." Huff, an aerial gunner, was reported as missing in action in January 1945 when he and his crew were attacking enemy defensive positions in a jungle on nearby Cape Wom, Papua New Guinea. Huff's mother was 94 when she learned that the wreckage from Huff's plane had been found. "Finally, the question that haunted her family for a generation was answered," George said.

"Today, we remember our teammates who were held prisoner or missing in action. We are grateful for their service and sacrifice, and we also remember the families and friends who spent years, like the Huff family, waiting for their father or brother or son to come home until the empty seat at their dining table." His speech was followed by the recognition of the POW/MIA families. The event ended with a flyover of Navy aircraft.

Later in the day, Trump signed a proclamation marking the national day. In it, he mentioned the North's return of Korean War remains. "As Commander in Chief, I remain committed to pursuing full accountability for those captured and missing in action. During my first term, I secured the repatriation of remains from North Korea, believed to be at least 250 individuals who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Korean War," he said. "In March of this year, our Nation identified the 100th service member from the remains -- ending decades of uncertainty for the families of the fallen. This sacred mission will continue until every American is returned home.