Mission To Find More MIAs From WWII

A group calling itself the BentProp Project is making plans to resume searching Palau for World War II aircraft and remains of their airmen.

BentProp Project, a self-funded group, is made up of aviation and history enthusiasts have found over three dozen relics since 1993. It gets its name from what they feel is the most recognizable piece of wreckage found -- a bent propeller.

The military's Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command (JPAC) is mandated with obtaining information on 88,000 listed as Missing In Action of which 78,000 are from WWII. "Many Americans have died over the course of our history in defense of our liberties," says Patrick Scannon, founder of the organization. "BentProp is our way of showing our gratitude for their sacrifices."

Scannon founded BentProp after participating in the find of the armed trawler sunk by then-Ensign George H.W. Bush, according to a project release. A local scout took Scannon to the wing of a B-24 in shallow water off a rock island. That scene stuck with him, so he made it is quest to find and identify as many downed aircraft sites as possible.

In all, 200 US aircraft are missing inside the barrier reef near Palau, 1,000 miles southwest of Guam, which felt the full fury of the Pacific War. The area is thought to have downed aircraft laying in the waters, jungles and swaps of Palau.

The BentProp team will focus on identifying possible MIA sites in an effort to bring closure to families of the MIAs.

This expedition, like others before it, will coincide with a JPAC recovery mission. On this mission JPAC will be continuing recovery of a B-24 (with eight airmen), an Avenger (three on board), and perhaps a Grumman Wildcat. All aircraft sites were identified by BentProp.

"For more than half a century, the fates of hundreds of these men have remained concealed. Loved ones have lived with the pain of not knowing. Through your tireless efforts, the families and friends of many of these brave airmen have finally achieved closure. You have helped show that no Marine is ever forgotten," wrote Gen. James L. Jones, then Commandant of the US Marine Corps.

No date was given for when the group will return to Palau.

FMI: www.lastflighthome.org, www.bentprop.org