As the United States observes Memorial Day, the nation pauses to remember and honor the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. For Temple, it’s also a time to recognize its support of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to account for Americans still missing from past conflicts and bring answers to the families of the fallen.
For the past eight years, Temple’s History Department has collaborated with the DPAA’s Hub and Spoke program, which is part of the agency’s Partnerships and Innovations Directorate’s research program. The Hub and Spoke program comprises a network of academic and other educational institutions housing fellows from various academic backgrounds.
“This partnership affirms Temple's status as a key stakeholder in military history,” said Gregory J.W. Urwin, professor of history at Temple. “Our History Department has been one of the leaders in this field going back to the 1960s. The presence of these research fellows has significantly broadened military history’s footprint in our department.”
Currently, Temple’s postdoctoral DPAA Partner Research Fellows Andrea Siotto and Ariel Natalo-Lifton are examining old maps, records and reports to lay the research foundation that supports a wide range of DPAA operations, from initial case development to field mission planning.
“The work we do as fellows with the DPAA makes a difference in a very personal way, allowing families to acquire information about their missing loved ones and get some type of closure,” said Natalo-Lifton, who works on World War II projects focused on the Mediterranean, North Atlantic and South Atlantic. Additionally, her expertise in archival research, data analysis and oral history allows her to piece together the stories of missing service members.
Beyond her DPAA research, Natalo-Lifton participates in Temple’s Center for the Study of Force and Diplomacy and shares new methodologies with graduate students. Through her involvement with lectures, workshops and mentorship—including advising the Barnes Club (the History Department’s graduate student association) on professional development—she helps raise awareness of the DPAA’s mission and inspires students to consider careers related to historical research and its real-world applications.
Siotto’s work with the DPAA spans multiple conflicts, from World War II in the Mediterranean and South Atlantic to a separate initiative focused on the Vietnam War. His expertise in historical research, coding, geospatial analysis and database management has been instrumental in helping the agency visualize where U.S. personnel were lost.
“Temple’s History Department recruits able young historians with the research skills to meet DPAA needs,” said Urwin. “This work exposes fellows to new ways of doing research, which broadens their skill set. Considering the competitive job market for PhDs in history, this is a wonderful opportunity for fellows to support themselves while continuing professional learning.”
The university has played a key role in laying the foundational research for World War II and Vietnam War-era losses. These efforts not only advance the university’s mission but also contribute to the national commitment to honoring those who never returned home.