War-torn relic unearthed: Seventy-two-year-old World War II plane discovered in Pacific archipelagos by Project RECOVER.
Project RECOVER Makes Significant Progress in Locating Missing World War II Servicemen
In a continued effort to bring closure to the families of missing servicemen from World War II, Project RECOVER has made significant strides in its mission. The nonprofit organization, which focuses on locating and repatriating the remains of American servicemen who went missing during the war, has recently opened a new office in Bend, Oregon.
The new office serves as a central hub for Project RECOVER's ongoing research, archaeological investigations, and family support activities. This dedicated facility helps organize their research efforts and provides families with a physical location to engage with the team, aiding in investigations related to missing in action (MIA) servicemen from WWII.
Project RECOVER's work begins with detailed historical research and investigation, followed by fieldwork using archaeological techniques to locate wreckage and human remains of U.S. aircraft lost during WWII. Their findings are verified in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense, ensuring accuracy and official recognition of their discoveries.
The organization, which has been active for around three decades, has maintained a presence in Bend for the last six years. The recent establishment of a dedicated facility further supports accelerating their efforts to identify MIAs from WWII aircraft incidents.
Notable discoveries made by Project RECOVER include the recent location of an American aircraft, a TBM-1C Avenger, missing since July 1944 in the waters surrounding Palau. This U.S. Navy TBM-1C adds to the growing list of wrecks discovered by Project RECOVER. Scattered around Palau's island chain are several dozen U.S. aircraft and the remains of as many as 80 U.S. airmen.
Project RECOVER's success is made possible through collaborative efforts and financial support. Dan Friedkin, founder and chairman of Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation and chairman of Gulf States Toyota and The Friedkin Group, has provided substantial financial support to Project RECOVER. Friedkin's goal is to find the final underwater resting places of all Americans missing in action since World War II.
The University of Delaware, Scripps Oceanography, and the BentProp Project are the three founding entities of Project RECOVER. These organizations have formalized their partnership with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) through memorandums of understanding. They are using their funds for technology development, data processing, analysis, and field efforts in search of World War II wreckage and MIAs.
Project RECOVER provides detailed information about discovered wrecks and possible links to airmen listed as missing in action to DPAA. DPAA is responsible for recovery and repatriation efforts, including notification of the families of these MIAs.
As Project RECOVER continues to expand its searches using modern science and technology, it remains one of the leading programs actively addressing the location and identification of WWII U.S. aircraft and associated MIAs. The organization's mission is to provide closure to families by finding and repatriating remains, allowing families to properly memorialize their loved ones who were lost in action.
- The collaboration between Project RECOVER, the University of Delaware, Scripps Oceanography, and the BentProp Project is focused on leveraging educational and self-development resources for technology development in the search of World War II wreckage.
- The findings and discoveries made by Project RECOVER are not only significant within the realm of environmental science, as they pertain to locating and repatriating missing servicemen, but they also contribute to the general news and sports landscapes, given their historical significance.
- In addition to finance and investment from private entities like the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation and Gulf States Toyota, Project RECOVER's efforts are likewise supported by funding in the field of science and technology, furthering advancements in these areas.
- Project RECOVER's work on locating missing World War II servicemen also intertwines with the lifestyle and leisure sector, as the organization actively seeks to provide closure and peace of mind for the families of the missing, thus improving their quality of life.
