US to search for World War II missing in Myanmar

The U.S. military is preparing its first search in eight years for remains of American soldiers lost in Myanmar during World War II.

The resumption of the search is a product of the revived U.S. ties with Myanmar after it initiated democratic reforms.

The Hawaii-based Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command said Friday that a coordination team will head to Myanmar Jan. 21 to prepare for a visit by investigators a month later.

About 730 Americans are missing, mostly U.S. air crews that went down in the rugged northern mountains while flying supplies from India to China.

Spokeswoman Michelle Thomas said investigators will spend three weeks in Yangon Division and Mandalay Division, pursuing leads. Another mission is planned for the summer, hopefully to gather enough information to send in recovery teams later.-Philippine Daily Inquirer (January 12, 2013 9:33AM)