The Untold Story of the Women Who Took on the Government to Bring Their Loved Ones Home from the Korean War

The Korean War was a brutal conflict that lasted from 1950 to 1953. Over 36,000 Americans were killed in the war, and over 100,000 were wounded.

In the aftermath of the war, many American families were left wondering what had happened to their loved ones who had been declared missing in action (MIA). The government was slow to provide information about the MIAs, and many families were frustrated by the lack of answers.

The League of Wives: The Untold Story of the Women Who Took on the U.S. Government to Bring Their Husbands Home

by Heath Hardage Lee

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	24524 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	331 pages

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In 1955, a group of women who had lost loved ones in the Korean War decided to take matters into their own hands. They formed the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia (NLFAPA). The NLFAPA's mission was to pressure the government to provide information about the MIAs and to bring them home.

The NLFAPA's Early Years

The NLFAPA was founded by a group of women who had lost husbands, sons, and brothers in the Korean War. The women were from all walks of life, but they were united by their shared grief and their determination to find out what had happened to their loved ones.

The NLFAPA's early years were difficult. The government was uncooperative, and the women faced skepticism and ridicule from the public. However, the women refused to give up. They held rallies, wrote letters to Congress, and met with government officials.

In 1956, the NLFAPA's efforts paid off when Congress passed the MIA Act. The MIA Act required the government to provide information about MIAs to their families. The Act also established a new agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA),to investigate MIA cases.

The NLFAPA's Successes

The NLFAPA's efforts led to a number of successes. In 1958, the government returned the remains of 22 American soldiers who had been killed in the Korean War. In 1960, the government agreed to provide monthly payments to the families of MIAs.

In 1973, the government signed the Paris Peace Accords, which ended the Vietnam War. The Accords included a provision for the return of American MIAs from Vietnam. As a result of the Accords, the remains of over 2,000 American soldiers were returned to the United States.

The NLFAPA's efforts also led to a change in the way the government treated MIAs. In 1982, the government established the Joint Task Force-Full Accounting (JTF-FA) to investigate MIA cases from all wars. The JTF-FA has since returned the remains of over 1,000 American soldiers to their families.

The NLFAPA's Legacy

The NLFAPA's legacy is one of courage, determination, and perseverance. The women who founded the organization faced overwhelming odds, but they refused to give up. Their efforts led to a number of important changes in the way the government treats MIAs.

The NLFAPA is still active today, and it continues to work to bring closure to the families of MIAs. The organization's work is a reminder that the sacrifice of our military personnel is never forgotten.

The League of Wives: The Untold Story of the Women Who Took on the U.S. Government to Bring Their Husbands Home

by Heath Hardage Lee

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	24524 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	331 pages

FREE