Dear , 

Project Recover partners from The University of Delaware began the year with a search mission in West Africa. Though we can't share many details on this open case, we want to keep our followers and supporters updated on our whereabouts and constant efforts to find the next MIA site that will ultimately lead to America's next MIA homecoming. Stay tuned for more on this case this fall.

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Vietnam veterans monument in Barnegat, N.J., made possible by Thy and Jimmy Cavagnaro, dedicated on the first National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, 2018. Photo by Thy Cavagnaro

March 29th is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Many states celebrate a "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" (and some states on March 30th). Though our country has brought home over 1000 of our missing-in-action from Southeast Asia, over 1500 MIAs have yet to return home. Millions of Americans served during the Vietnam War, both at home and abroad. Over 58,000 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice. Of the 9 million that served, an estimated 7 million Vietnam Veterans live in the U.S. and abroad today. Please join us in honoring those who served, the many who continued to serve and contribute to their communities, those who laid down their lives, and those who still haven't come home.

Finding the '453 B-24: 20th Anniversary

In January 2004, armed with little more than scuba gear, a boat, and a guide, a small and mighty team of motivated adventurers led by Dr. Pat Scannon located a B-24 after almost a decade of searching. 

SSgt Jimmie Doyle was on that plane. His son, Tommy Doyle, first met Pat in 2000. “He told me more about my father in five minutes than I had learned about him my entire life,” said Doyle.

In 2005, Tommy joined the team in Palau to dive on his father's site. He had attained his scuba qualification just for this moment. “It puts your heart in knots to know that your father was on that plane,” he said. “At that moment, I was closer to my father than I probably ever had been.”

The find led to the recovery and homecoming of eight crew members from the '453 B-24 that went down September 1st, 1944. By 2009, we welcomed home Jack S.M. Arnett, William B. Simpson, Frank J. Arhar, Robert J. Stinson, Jimmie Doyle, Charles T. Goulding, Earl E. Yoh, and Leland D. Price.

Three crew members, Arthur J. Schumacher, John Moore, and Alexander R. Vick, parachuted from the plane and were captured, executed, and buried. We are still searching for those men.

Back (l to r): Robert J. Stinson, Charles T. Goulding, Jimmie Doyle, John Moore, Leland D. Price, Earl E. Yoh, and Camposa; Front (l to r): Coorsen, Frank J. Arhar, Arthur J. Schumacher. NOTE: Not shown: Jack Arnett, William J. Simpson, and A. R. Vick. Coorsen and Camposa did not fly with this aircrew on 1SEP44. Photo: NARA

Stay tuned next month for an announcement for a new store item in honor of this anniversary and all of our B-24 crews!

First Ever Project Recover Supporter Survey

Want to help? Please participate in our first supporter survey. We want to learn about YOU, how we can better communicate with you, and how we can continue to share our mission and the stories of our MIAs and families with more people across the nation. Your feedback will help us develop future initiatives while strengthening the Project Recover community!

Tribute Donations

In this new section of the newsletter, we want to highlight the tributes that have been made in honor of those dear to our donors. We at Project Recover are honored to share in keeping the memories alive of our MIAs and others, as well as honoring those who are still with us. Below are tributes made in the last quarter of 2023. If you would like to make a tribute donation, click here to donate, and be sure to check the box under "Gift Designation."

~The dedicated volunteers of Project Recover, from James McGaughey

~Thomas DeHaven, from Harry and Linda Young

~Dan Hughes DuPree, from Katherine Potter

~Tom Nelson, from Steven Nelson

~Kevin & Barb Slater, from Elite Services

~Michael Vallee, from Connor Vallee

~Arthur Caterino, from Domenic Efter

~Richard Hansen, from Pamela Vaughn

~John and Stephen McGuire, from Linda McGuire

~Chrysta Moore, from Jim and Mellisa Ledlow

~Eli Michael Radick, from Colleen McMahan

~CE2 Matthew Kiser, from Scott Kiser

~Keith Egan, from Kate Egan

~John and Maryann Scott, from Lisa Scott

~Mom and Dad Crate, from Stephanie Crate

~Colonel Edward M Rex, Sr., from Michelle Rex

~Norman John Spaulding, from Scott Spaulding

~Dallas L Waggoner, from David and Roberta Waggoner. Thanks for your service, Dad.

~Capt. James W. Underwood, from James Briggs. In honor of my father, Army Air Corps Capt. James W. Underwood, KIA/MIA 9 Jan. 1945 in the Philippines.

~Leonard B. Cancilla, from Leigh Slowey. We are always thankful for and we never forget the sacrifice our soldiers made for us. God Bless them, and may they rest in peace.

~Kevin Lucia, from Cathy and Jim Maryfield. We love you, Cathy and Jim.

~T. Sgt. Robert P. Wagoner, from Gene Wagoner. In memory of "T Sgt. Robert P Wagoner, shot down on June 25,1944 over the Yap Island, Micronesia.

~Thomas John Hedash, from Thomas Hedash. WW2 Navy Seabee.

~Sam Houston Bell, CPL, USMC, from Stephen Bell. My father was stationed in Chuuk later in WWII, marshaling for the great invasion of Japan. He came home. May all the heroes …on all sides…rest in eternal glory.

~Robert Reese Lovelady, from Trey Diaz. In tribute to Robert Reese Lovelady WW2 Veteran and best grandfather ever.

~David Devens, from Kenneth Manuel. For you Diamond Dave.

~Andrew Otto, from Jason Davis. Thank you for your service.

~1st Lt. Ross J. Buckley, from Fredrick Young. For my grand uncle 1st Lt. Ross Buckley, KIA 2/28/45 Pfaffendorf Bridge, Germany.

~Flip Colmer, U.S. Navy Lt. Commander (ret.), from Ray Damaske. Flip Colmer gave his life's career to his country and his passion for flying. He also gave his labor of love to the "Bent Prop" organization of Project Recover! In loving memory and honor to a true patriot!
Special gratitude and thanks from the friends of the family of Albert "Bud" Rybarczyk, from Berrien County, Michigan...recovered in his lost aircraft, MIA since September 8, 1944 in Peleliu during WWII.

~Captain Charles F. Pratte, Jr., USAAF, from Rita Alderson. In honor of my uncle, Captain Charles F. Pratte, Jr., US AAF MIA Pacific, from Warren, RI.

~James Feeney, LT, USN, from your family. My brother-in-law, lost off the Sea of Japan in his Corsair A7 7/11/74 off the USS Enterprise.

~Adam Maire, from Carelle Karimimanesh. Adam Maire is spreading the message of Project Recover through his work with National Geographic.

~LCDR Donald R Ashby Sr USN, from Carlo Pecori. LCDR Ashby Sr has been MIA since 19 JAN 1967.

~Lloyd Christensen, from Gloria Gress. To an uncle we never got the chance to meet who was killed on the Arizona. Too young to die.

~Dr. Derek Abbey, from Brian Grana. Proud of my friend Dr. Derek Abbey!

~Flip Colmer, from Barbara Colmer. In Loving Memory of Flip.

~David Jacob Wishon, from Tim Champ. While I never knew him, he was never forgotten and I will never forget how he was never forgotten by his country.

~Cpt. Alfred M Fite Jr. and Cpt. David M Fite, from Rachel Beard. Alfred Fite Jr. was a WWII B-17 pilot. David M Fite, National Guard KC-135 pilot lost in service.

~Harve Stutsman Jr, from Heather Dale. For my grandfather who served in the USMC during WWII.

~Raymond K. Winter, from Taylor Gill. Happy Birthday, Uncle Curt. In memory of Raymond K. Winter.