Identified by reliable information received from releases or escapees, or
Reported by highly reliable intelligence sources
ID'd through analysis of all-source intelligence.
Category 2 - Suspected Knowledge
This category includes personnel who were:
Involved in the same incidents as individuals reported in category 1
Lost in areas or under such conditions that they may reasonably be known
by the enemy
Connected with an incident which was discussed but not identified by name
in the enemy news media, or
Probably identified through analysis of all-source intelligence.
Category 3 - Doubtful Knowledge
This category includes personnel whose loss incident is such that it is doubtful
that the enemy would have knowledge of the specific individuals (e.g., aircrews
lost over water or remote areas).
Category 4 - Unknown Knowledge
This category includes individuals:
Whose time and place of incident are unknown (e.g., aircrew members downed
at unknown locations or ground personnel separated from their unit at an
unknown time or place), and
Who do not meet the criteria of Category 1 through 3.
Category 5 - Uncorrelated/Unrelated
This category includes US personnel whose remains have been declared
non-recoverable.
On December 18, 2002, the Dept. of Defense issued Instruction Number 1300.18. Its subject: "Military Personnel
Casualty Matters, Policies, and Procedures defines the new Casualty categories, in Section E2.1.1.6. It reads:
"Casualty Category. A term used to specifically classify a casualty for reporting purposes based upon the casualty type
and the casualty status. Casualty categories include killed in action (KIA), died of wounds received in action
(DWRIA), beleaguered, besieged, captured, detained, interned, missing, in action (MIA), and wounded in action (WIA)."
The following sections defines the new categories for those captured or missing.
E2.1.1.24. Missing. A casualty status applicable to a person who is not at his or her duty location due to apparent
involuntary reasons and whose location may or may not be known. Chapter 10 of 37 U.S.C. (reference (f)) provides
statutory guidance concerning missing members of the Military Services. Excluded are personnel who are in an AWOL,
deserter, or dropped-from-rolls status. A person declared missing is further categorized as follows:
E2.1.1.24.1. Beleaguered. The casualty is a member of an organized element that has been surrounded by a hostile
force to prevent escape of its members.
E2.1.1.24.2. Besieged. The casualty is a member of an organized element that has been surrounded by a hostile force
compelling it to surrender.
E2.1.1.24.3. Captured. The casualty has been seized as the result of action of an unfriendly military or paramilitary force
in a foreign country.
E2.1.1.24.4. Detained. The casualty is prevented from proceeding or is restrained in custody for alleged violation of
international law or other reason claimed by the government or group under which the person is being held.
E2.1.1.24.5. Interned. The casualty definitely known to have been taken into custody of a nonbelligerent foreign power as
the result of and for reasons arising out of any armed conflict in which the Armed Forces of the United States are
engaged.
E2.1.1.24.6. Missing. The casualty is not present at his or her duty location due to apparent involuntary reasons and
whose location is unknown.
E2.1.1.24.7. Missing in Action (MIA). The casualty is a hostile casualty, other than the victim of a terrorist activity, who
is not present at his or her duty location due to apparent involuntary reasons and whose location is unknown.
A review of the entire directive finds that the phrase Prisoner or War or the acronym POW is never used.
The fact that the terminology Prisoner of War is no longer used was confirmed by Secretary of the Navy Gordon R.
England. In his 11 October 2002 memo announcing the change in status of Capt.
Michael Scott Speicher from Missing In Action to Missing/Captured, Secretary England stated:
"Although the controlling missing persons statute and directives do not use the term "Prisoner of War," the fact
supporting a change in Captain Speicher's category from Missing in Action to
Missing/Captured would also support the conclusion that, if alive, he is a Prisoner of War."
