Question: I am curious about the World War II report I am reading about my uncle who was died in Europe in the Army Air Corps. This declassified report make reference to “LIA” and “DOW”. I have heard of Killed in Action (KIA), and Prisoner of War (POW) but was wondering if you could assist me in the other terms.
Answer: Killed in Action (KIA) is a slightly different classification then (LIA). LIA stands for one who was Lost in Action but not killed during the military engagement. The abbreviation for (DOW) refers to “Died of Wounds”. Another abbreviation you may see associated with a death on an aviation veteran would be (KIFA), this relates to one “killed in [a] flight accident.”