0 items | $0.00
No products in the cart.
"OPERATION 85" GIFT SHOP is NOW OPEN! GET YOUR OP85 GEAR!

Family Members

  1. Home /
  2. Family Members

Official Family Member Submission Page

What is needed by the family members? How can you help?

The short answer is a DNA sample from a viable bloodline descendant to match to the DNA of the unknown service members. This could include a brother, sister, child, grandchild, maternal nieces, paternal and some maternal nephews, etc.   With 1,072 unrecovered crew members killed, and potentially 85 or more of them buried commingled as “Unknown” at the National Memorial Cemetery Of The Pacific; as a family member you have an 8% chance your family member killed aboard the U.S.S. Arizona could be identified. Most importantly, you are a part of a historical undertaking and supplying your DNA sample to not only potentially identify your family member, but over a thousand other family members that need your participation before identification can begin.
PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING !!

Family DNA Chart – Who can donate?

DPAA DNA Chart

OFFICIAL FAMILY SUBMISSION FORM

robert kline family picture

Here are the Steps for Family Identification

STEP ONE

Submit Your Information

What to Expect after you submit your info...

Once you submit your info below, we will reach out to welcome you aboard this journey.  We’re all in this together. We’ll be happy to answer any and all of your questions and help you along the process of identifying your family member.  We may also ask about your family member and hope you’ll help us with updating your ancestors profile and bio.

STEP TWO

What to expect from your Casualty Officer

Once we receive your information, we will forward your info directly to the appropriate casualty office.  It won’t be long before your military casualty officer will reach out to introduce themselves.  The US Navy or US Marine Corps Casualty Office will be your official representative through the ancestor verification and DNA collection process.

STEP THREE

Ancestor Verification

What to Expect from the Verification Process

Don’t worry or think you may not have enough verification or documentation to prove your family connection. If you truly believe you and your family are connected, contact us!  The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has historians and genealogist on staff to help you connect the dots. They know all the right questions to ask and all the right places to look.   If you’re able to provide some basic information, they may be able to help find the connection and make the match.  Some will be easier than others, but let the professionals determine that. Don’t hesitate to contact us! We will help!

STEP FOUR

Receive and Return your DNA Sample Kit

What to expect when you Receive the DNA Sample Kit

Once you get past the verification process with your casualty officer and the DPAA, you will be sent a free DNA Sample kit by US mail.  The kit includes (1) a set of directions, (2) Swabs and collection tubes, (3) a return padded envelope already labeled and postage provided.  On Average, it takes less than 5 minutes to complete everything. You will simply swab the inside of your cheeks with a few cotton swabs (much like Q-Tips).  You’ll place them inside a collection tube, place them back  in the envelope with your completed paperwork, and put the package in your outgoing U.S. mail … and you are done!

STEP FIVE

Your DNA Sample is Recorded and Ready to Match your Ancestor

What to expect after your Kit is Returned

Within a few days after sending back the DNA sample kit, you will receive a letter in the mail from the Armed Forced Medical Examiner confirming they have received your DNA sample and you are officially on file to potentially match with your U.S.S. Arizona ancestor.