The mission of the POW / MIA Branch is to assist the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in the effort to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation.
This effort involves investigation, recovery, and identification of missing Sailors and is mandated by Title 10 U.S.C, Chapter 76 – Missing Persons, Sections 1501-1513.  Navy POW/MIA is responsible for over 32,000 unaccounted-for Sailors.

As the Department of the Navy's Office on unaccounted-for Sailor loss incidents, Navy POW/MIA serves as the advocate for family members of missing Sailors from past conflicts (WWII thru the Persian Gulf War).  Additionally, the Branch is the primary liaison between these family members and the government agencies involved in the United States Government's full accounting efforts of missing personnel from past conflicts