Discovered after 72 years: World War II plane found in Pacific Islands by Project RECOVER team.
Project RECOVER, a groundbreaking collaboration between the University of Delaware, Scripps Oceanography, and the BentProp Project, has been making significant strides in locating, documenting, and recovering missing U.S. aircraft and airmen from World War II, particularly from underwater sites.
The project's most recent discovery is the TBM-1C Avenger, a plane missing since July 1944, which was found in the waters surrounding Palau. This remarkable find was made possible by Project RECOVER's unique combination of scientific methods, historical research, and collaboration with local communities.
Palau is home to several dozen U.S. aircraft and the remains of as many as 80 U.S. airmen, scattered around the island chain. Project RECOVER's work has contributed to the identification of over 80 U.S. planes from World War II and the recovery of the remains of more than 30 servicemen.
The project's focus on key locations such as the Chuuk lagoon, a significant Japanese naval base targeted by U.S. forces in 1944, demonstrates its commitment to solving the mysteries surrounding these missing planes and airmen.
The humanitarian impact of Project RECOVER is profound. By providing closure to families of the missing, honoring the sacrifices of the airmen, and preserving an important part of World War II history, the project is making a significant difference. The recovered remains are identified with modern forensic and scientific techniques and then repatriated for proper reinterment in the U.S.
Project RECOVER is part of a broader effort including the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and related university and research teams worldwide who use cutting-edge technology and multidisciplinary approaches to recover and identify missing military personnel from World War II battlefields and crash sites, both on land and underwater.
The project's success is in part due to the financial support it has received from entities such as Gulf States Toyota, a part of The Friedkin Group, and the BentProp Project. The Friedkin Group, a consortium of automotive, adventure, hospitality, and entertainment companies, has provided substantial financial support to Project RECOVER.
Dan Friedkin, the chairman of The Friedkin Group, has also been personally involved in Project RECOVER's mission. He is the founder and chairman of the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the men and women of the U.S. Air Force through Heritage Flight displays. Friedkin is one of nine civilian Heritage Flight pilots qualified to fly in formation with U.S. Air Force single-ship demonstration teams.
The Friedkin Group's support for Project RECOVER is not limited to financial contributions. The group's efforts in wildlife conservation and anti-poaching in East Africa, led by the Friedkin Conservation Fund, align with Project RECOVER's mission of preserving history and honoring the sacrifices of servicemen.
As Project RECOVER's methods prove effective, they will now be applied to many regions across the globe where servicemen are still missing, ensuring that the search for answers continues and that families can find the closure they deserve.
[1] Project RECOVER
[2] Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
[3] BentProp Project
[4] Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation
[5] The Friedkin Group
[6] Friedkin Conservation Fund
- The combination of science, technology, and historical research by Project RECOVER, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, BentProp Project, and Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation, enables them to locate, recover, and identify missing aircraft and airmen from World War II, employing modern forensic techniques and cutting-edge technology.
- The Friedkin Group's involvement in Project RECOVER not only includes financial support but also extends to wildlife conservation and anti-poaching initiatives through the Friedkin Conservation Fund, aligning with Project RECOVER's mission of honoring the sacrifices of servicemen and preserving history.
