When American personnel are missing or are otherwise unaccounted-for, they are classified missing in action, or MIA. They may be determined as killed in action, but if their body was not recovered, they remain unaccounted-for. The Department of Defense accounting agency is in charge of determining the fate of the missing or killed in action, and for locating, identifying, and recovering their remains.
As technology has improved over the decades, so have the offensive and defensive capabilities of the U.S. military, which has become more surgical and risk averse over time. This has led to a steep drop in those missing in action in every major conflict since World War II. Of course, part of this is also due to the sheer scope of WWII. (This is the year the most Americans died in war since 1980.)
More than 81,900 Americans remain missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War. But since WWII the number of personnel lost, killed, or unaccounted-for has been incredibly reduced. In fact, during the 20-year engagement in Afghanistan, not a single American was reported as MIA. And in other recent conflicts, within the last forty years, there remain few personnel reported as MIA, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
Capt. Paul Lorence of California was lost in Operation El Dorado Canyon in 1986. The Airforce pilot went down in his F-111 during a strike over Libya. Two Navy pilots were then lost in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Lt. Cmdr. Barry Cooke of Texas and Lt. Robert Dwyer of Ohio were downed separately over the Persian Gulf. They are classified as Killed in Action Body Not Recovered.
Most recently, three civilians, DOD contractors, were reported unaccounted-for in Operation Iraqi Freedom between 2003 to 2010: Kirk Ackermann of New Mexico, Timothy Bell of Alabama, and Adnan al-Hilawi of Florida.
Most of the missing in action, however, came in earlier conflicts, mostly in WWII. In fact, WWII accounts for over 72,000 of the over 81,000 missing. Because of that, the more populous states at the time tend to have more missing in action. (These are states where the most americans serve in the military.)
To determine the military service members missing in action in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the DPAA. We ranked states by the total number of personnel missing in action in conflicts from WWII onwards. All figures listed are from the DPAA. It should be noted that while some estimates exist for MIA prior to WWII, the DPAA only publishes figures for WWII and onwards.
Click here to see the number of Americans missing in action from every state since WW2.
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
50. Alaska
> Missing in action since WWII: 8
> World War II MIA: 4
> Korean War MIA: 1
> Vietnam War MIA: 2
> Cold War MIA: 1
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (5 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad]
Source: 4kodiak / iStock via Getty Images
49. Nevada
> Missing in action since WWII: 81
> World War II MIA: 70
> Korean War MIA: 5
> Vietnam War MIA: 6
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Navy (43 unaccounted-for)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
48. Delaware
> Missing in action since WWII: 120
> World War II MIA: 105
> Korean War MIA: 11
> Vietnam War MIA: 04
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (56 unaccounted-for)
Source: okimo / iStock via Getty Images
47. Hawaii
> Missing in action since WWII: 153
> World War II MIA: 76
> Korean War MIA: 70
> Vietnam War MIA: 7
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (106 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
46. Vermont
> Missing in action since WWII: 191
> World War II MIA: 166
> Korean War MIA: 20
> Vietnam War MIA: 5
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (107 unaccounted-for)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
45. Wyoming
> Missing in action since WWII: 209
> World War II MIA: 192
> Korean War MIA: 13
> Vietnam War MIA: 4
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (113 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
44. New Hampshire
> Missing in action since WWII: 319
> World War II MIA: 273
> Korean War MIA: 40
> Vietnam War MIA: 6
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (153 unaccounted-for)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
43. South Dakota
> Missing in action since WWII: 351
> World War II MIA: 310
> Korean War MIA: 34
> Vietnam War MIA: 7
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (168 unaccounted-for)
Source: vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
42. Idaho
> Missing in action since WWII: 359
> World War II MIA: 328
> Korean War MIA: 23
> Vietnam War MIA: 8
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (185 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
41. North Dakota
> Missing in action since WWII: 361
> World War II MIA: 325
> Korean War MIA: 27
> Vietnam War MIA: 9
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Navy (177 unaccounted-for)
Source: 4kodiak / E+ via Getty Images
40. Arizona
> Missing in action since WWII: 387
> World War II MIA: 325
> Korean War MIA: 46
> Vietnam War MIA: 15
> Cold War MIA: 1
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (215 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
39. Montana
> Missing in action since WWII: 461
> World War II MIA: 417
> Korean War MIA: 27
> Vietnam War MIA: 16
> Cold War MIA: 1
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (258 unaccounted-for)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
38. Maine
> Missing in action since WWII: 474
> World War II MIA: 418
> Korean War MIA: 45
> Vietnam War MIA: 11
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (287 unaccounted-for)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
37. Utah
> Missing in action since WWII: 476
> World War II MIA: 429
> Korean War MIA: 33
> Vietnam War MIA: 14
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (251 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
36. New Mexico
> Missing in action since WWII: 625
> World War II MIA: 567
> Korean War MIA: 44
> Vietnam War MIA: 12
> Cold War MIA: 1
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (481 unaccounted-for)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
35. Rhode Island
> Missing in action since WWII: 669
> World War II MIA: 447
> Korean War MIA: 214
> Vietnam War MIA: 7
> Cold War MIA: 1
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (376 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad]
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
34. Mississippi
> Missing in action since WWII: 781
> World War II MIA: 693
> Korean War MIA: 74
> Vietnam War MIA: 12
> Cold War MIA: 2
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (418 unaccounted-for)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
33. Nebraska
> Missing in action since WWII: 785
> World War II MIA: 708
> Korean War MIA: 59
> Vietnam War MIA: 16
> Cold War MIA: 2
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (400 unaccounted-for)
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
32. South Carolina
> Missing in action since WWII: 841
> World War II MIA: 709
> Korean War MIA: 105
> Vietnam War MIA: 27
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (420 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images
31. Colorado
> Missing in action since WWII: 878
> World War II MIA: 784
> Korean War MIA: 68
> Vietnam War MIA: 24
> Cold War MIA: 2
> Military branch with most missing in action: Navy (403 unaccounted-for)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
30. Arkansas
> Missing in action since WWII: 956
> World War II MIA: 841
> Korean War MIA: 99
> Vietnam War MIA: 15
> Cold War MIA: 1
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (476 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
29. Maryland
> Missing in action since WWII: 962
> World War II MIA: 806
> Korean War MIA: 132
> Vietnam War MIA: 23
> Cold War MIA: 1
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (507 unaccounted-for)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
28. Connecticut
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,046
> World War II MIA: 943
> Korean War MIA: 76
> Vietnam War MIA: 25
> Cold War MIA: 2
> Military branch with most missing in action: Navy (506 unaccounted-for)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
27. West Virginia
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,089
> World War II MIA: 909
> Korean War MIA: 160
> Vietnam War MIA: 17
> Cold War MIA: 3
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (555 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
26. Florida
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,118
> World War II MIA: 905
> Korean War MIA: 154
> Vietnam War MIA: 54
> Cold War MIA: 4
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (500 unaccounted-for)
Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images
25. Louisiana
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,140
> World War II MIA: 974
> Korean War MIA: 141
> Vietnam War MIA: 24
> Cold War MIA: 1
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (536 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
24. Kansas
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,186
> World War II MIA: 1,058
> Korean War MIA: 99
> Vietnam War MIA: 24
> Cold War MIA: 5
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (623 unaccounted-for)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: jbentley09 / iStock via Getty Images
23. Oregon
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,206
> World War II MIA: 931
> Korean War MIA: 237
> Vietnam War MIA: 35
> Cold War MIA: 3
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (591 unaccounted-for)
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
22. Georgia
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,260
> World War II MIA: 1,078
> Korean War MIA: 153
> Vietnam War MIA: 28
> Cold War MIA: 1
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (651 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
21. Alabama
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,290
> World War II MIA: 1,111
> Korean War MIA: 146
> Vietnam War MIA: 30
> Cold War MIA: 2
> Military branch with most missing in action: Navy (617 unaccounted-for)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
20. Kentucky
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,299
> World War II MIA: 1,098
> Korean War MIA: 183
> Vietnam War MIA: 14
> Cold War MIA: 4
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (698 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
19. Virginia
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,334
> World War II MIA: 1,103
> Korean War MIA: 186
> Vietnam War MIA: 45
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (678 unaccounted-for)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
18. Oklahoma
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,389
> World War II MIA: 1,215
> Korean War MIA: 140
> Vietnam War MIA: 30
> Cold War MIA: 4
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (821 unaccounted-for)
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
17. Tennessee
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,399
> World War II MIA: 1,202
> Korean War MIA: 171
> Vietnam War MIA: 26
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (740 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
16. Washington
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,496
> World War II MIA: 1,333
> Korean War MIA: 124
> Vietnam War MIA: 37
> Cold War MIA: 2
> Military branch with most missing in action: Navy (748 unaccounted-for)
Source: marchello74 / iStock via Getty Images
15. Wisconsin
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,501
> World War II MIA: 1,312
> Korean War MIA: 162
> Vietnam War MIA: 26
> Cold War MIA: 1
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (880 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
14. North Carolina
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,520
> World War II MIA: 1,296
> Korean War MIA: 185
> Vietnam War MIA: 39
> Cold War MIA: 0
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (765 unaccounted-for)
Source: RudyBalasko / iStock via Getty Images
13. Minnesota
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,565
> World War II MIA: 1,393
> Korean War MIA: 137
> Vietnam War MIA: 33
> Cold War MIA: 2
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (739 unaccounted-for)
Source: dangarneau / iStock via Getty Images
12. Iowa
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,605
> World War II MIA: 1,448
> Korean War MIA: 131
> Vietnam War MIA: 25
> Cold War MIA: 1
> Military branch with most missing in action: Navy (793 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
11. Indiana
> Missing in action since WWII: 1,721
> World War II MIA: 1,499
> Korean War MIA: 170
> Vietnam War MIA: 51
> Cold War MIA: 1
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (938 unaccounted-for)
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
10. Missouri
> Missing in action since WWII: 2,271
> World War II MIA: 2,037
> Korean War MIA: 195
> Vietnam War MIA: 35
> Cold War MIA: 4
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (1,106 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad]
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
9. New Jersey
> Missing in action since WWII: 2,332
> World War II MIA: 2,124
> Korean War MIA: 165
> Vietnam War MIA: 40
> Cold War MIA: 3
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (1,162 unaccounted-for)
Source: ehrlif / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
8. Michigan
> Missing in action since WWII: 2,843
> World War II MIA: 2,455
> Korean War MIA: 335
> Vietnam War MIA: 48
> Cold War MIA: 5
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (1,476 unaccounted-for)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
7. Massachusetts
> Missing in action since WWII: 2,885
> World War II MIA: 2,658
> Korean War MIA: 186
> Vietnam War MIA: 39
> Cold War MIA: 2
> Military branch with most missing in action: Navy (1,417 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: PapaBear / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
6. Ohio
> Missing in action since WWII: 3,652
> World War II MIA: 3,159
> Korean War MIA: 411
> Vietnam War MIA: 75
> Cold War MIA: 6
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (1,961 unaccounted-for)
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
5. Texas
> Missing in action since WWII: 4,122
> World War II MIA: 3,608
> Korean War MIA: 408
> Vietnam War MIA: 100
> Cold War MIA: 5
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (2,276 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
4. Illinois
> Missing in action since WWII: 4,144
> World War II MIA: 3,686
> Korean War MIA: 387
> Vietnam War MIA: 65
> Cold War MIA: 6
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (2,109 unaccounted-for)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
3. Pennsylvania
> Missing in action since WWII: 5,382
> World War II MIA: 4,734
> Korean War MIA: 543
> Vietnam War MIA: 89
> Cold War MIA: 16
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (3,103 unaccounted-for)
Source: bluejayphoto / iStock via Getty Images
2. California
> Missing in action since WWII: 6,368
> World War II MIA: 5,597
> Korean War MIA: 586
> Vietnam War MIA: 161
> Cold War MIA: 23
> Military branch with most missing in action: Navy (3,086 unaccounted-for)
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: GCShutter / E+ via Getty Images
1. New York
> Missing in action since WWII: 6,393
> World War II MIA: 5,777
> Korean War MIA: 506
> Vietnam War MIA: 101
> Cold War MIA: 9
> Military branch with most missing in action: Army (3,492 unaccounted-for)
Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
