Capt. John W. “Jack” Consolvo Jr., U.S. Marine Corps

National League of POW-MIA Families

Special Section: Combined Federal Campaign 2009

POW/MIA Organization Keeps Hopes Alive for Families

By Wendy M. Coble
Executive Assistant, National League of POW/MIA Families

Since May 1970, the National League of POW/MIA Families has worked for the release of all United States Prisoners of War, the fullest possible accounting for the missing, and repatriation of all recoverable remains of those who died serving our nation during the Vietnam War.

An elected Board of Directors meets regularly to determine League policy and direction; Regional and State Coordinators represent the League nationwide. The coordinator for the Hampton Roads area is Mrs. Martha Consolvo, who has been with the League for 37 years, ever since her son, Capt. John W. “Jack” Consolvo Jr., U.S. Marine Corps, was reported Missing-in-Action during his second tour. On May 7, 1972, Consolvo departed Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, piloting a Phantom F4-J on a bombing mission, but he never returned.

A 1966 Naval Academy graduate, Consolvo was commissioned as a Marine 2LT and earned his wings at Naval Air Station Pensacola in July 1968. He came from a long line of military men – his father, an Army lieutenant colonel, and his grandfather, an Army colonel, are both buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His mother’s fondest wish is for Consolvo’s remains to be returned so that he can be honorably buried alongside them.

Martha keeps his memory alive and the search for him a priority by sharing information about him and actively supporting the League’s efforts. “Not everybody’s home yet; we can’t stop looking until they all come home,” she stated from her Virginia Beach home. She works closely with Vietnam Veteran of America Chapter 969 in Virginia Beach and often addresses Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies and other gatherings, sharing her experiences and the importance of obtaining answers for families and fellow veterans.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day on Sept. 19, 2009, will again mean ceremonies at Dam Neck Annex and Naval Air Station Oceana, the latter at the POW/MIA Flame of Hope Memorial Park that holds special meaning for Martha. This eternal flame was lit by servicemen’s wives at Oceana just four days before the loss of her son. She has spent many hours visiting this memorial and working to keep it lit.

While the Flame of Hope is a physical reminder, Martha keeps a flame burning in her heart to find out what happened to her son and the 1,736 others still missing from the Vietnam War. “It is agonizing, an ache that never goes away;” she said, but she is grateful for the dedication of those still searching for answers. And, she is very happy when any family, such as relatives of Navy Capt. Scott Speicher, is blessed with answers and the return of their loved one. “I know how they feel and what they’ve been through,” she said, “but I believe in a miracle… that’s what it would take in my case after 37 years, but I’m so happy to know there is still hope.”

During these hard economic times, charities that must rely on donations are having a tough time continuing their missions. If you share the goal of securing answers for hurting American families by accounting for missing U.S. servicemen, please consider supporting the National League of POW/MIA Families.

To support the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, designate CFC #10218.