RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has formalized cooperation with the United States to recover and repatriate the remains of American soldiers who died in World War II on Indonesian soil.

The agreement, signed in Washington D.C. on Monday, April 13, 2026, underscores both nations’ commitment to honoring fallen servicemen through humanitarian and historical collaboration.

Head of the ministry's Defense Information Bureau, Brig. Gen. Rico Ricardo Sirait, explained that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) covers research, recovery, identification, and repatriation of remains.

“This is a humanitarian and historical partnership to ensure the remains of U.S. military personnel from World War II can be returned to their families,” Rico said in a statement on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The MoU was signed by Director General of Defense Strategy at Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense, Major General Agus Widodo, and DPAA Director Kelly K. McKeague, witnessed by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Rico underscored that the agreement does not grant the U.S. automatic access to Indonesian territory. “All activities must receive written approval from the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Defense and must fully comply with national laws and regulations,” he emphasized.

He added that the program must respect local communities, protect the environment, and preserve historical values, while also delivering social, academic, and economic benefits to the regions involved.

The initiative is expected to strengthen bilateral ties between Indonesia and the United States, while paying tribute to soldiers who lost their lives during the war. ***