Until we have 100% accountability? We have failed.
I think that I know what you mean, but I a better way to say it is that "Until we have 100% accountability, we will not rest." We will have failed if we quit.
That is why we are busting our ass sending mitochondrial DNA kits to every maternal family member of missing service members. That's why we have hundreds of DOD members trained and out in the field digging up crash sites and turning dirt in Korea looking for remains.
The US Government has done some pretty crappy things. Failure to respond to the P-2V shoot down in November of 1951 by the Soviet Union is one. Then there was Nixon sitting on his hands in April of 1969 when North Korea murdered the crew of a Navy EC-121 over the Sea of Japan. That's the tip of the iceberg.
Unfortunately, there are times where the truth hurts. Trust me when I tell you, that it's not fun to sit across the table from the family of a deserter and explain the facts of the case. Same deal trying to explain to a pilot that his RIO did not come back because he decided not to. "But he would never do that." Ok, he is a free man and could have come back in 1975 under the amnesty program, and he didn't. Explain that.
People are very passionate about this issue, for good reason. If there is a more blinding emotion than passion, I don't know what it is.
Like I told A4's, I would be happy to discuss an issue with someone in an official capacity if they have information, I would love to hear it. If someone wants information on a former squadron mate, let me know and I'll check the McCain status on the file. You have to be really careful of the sources of information on this subject. There is a lot of bad information out there in addition to some real nutball conspiracy theorists and fakes.
I do know one thing for sure: If you go missing, people are going to come looking for you.