MIAs: The Final Mission

Lauren Trecosta News 10 Comments

National POW/MIA Recognition Day 2020 National POW/MIA Recognition Day 2020 gives us a chance to reflect on our POW/MIAs, the sacrifices they have made for our country, and their final mission home. This day is especially close to our hearts. We spend every day of the year researching, searching for, and striving to bring our MIAs home.  For us, every day is POW/MIA Recognition Day. But 2020 is proving to be an extraordinary year. We find ourselves — along with virtually everyone else — facing extraordinary challenges.  On the one hand, we are eager to get back out in the field, frustrated that circumstances would interfere with our global missions to bring MIAs home. On the other hand, we recognize …

TBM Avenger

Otis E. Ingram, WWII Gunner, Accounted For By DPAA

Lauren Trecosta MIAs Accounted For, News 7 Comments

Navy Aviation Chief Ordnanceman Otis E. Ingram, a WWII gunner, killed in 1944, has been accounted for by the DPAA.  ACOM Ingram was a turret gunner aboard a TBM-1c Avenger and a member of the U.S. Navy Torpedo Squadron Fifty One (VT-51). Project Recover located that Avenger in 2016 and turned its findings over to the DPAA. Ingram and his crewmates were on a mission to bomb a Japanese base in Malakal Harbor, Palau.  His aircraft took off from the USS San Jacinto on July 27th, 1944, and was in the lead position of four Avengers. According to reports, the aircraft was last seen three to five miles ahead. It was believed to have been spotted on fire in Malakal …

Group Shot of the Project Recover Team

Becoming Project Recover

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We are pleased to announce that BentProp has changed its name to Project Recover. Our mission, vision, and values will remain exactly the same, and we will still send you regular updates on our search for MIAs.

Photo of Walter Mintus, WWII Radioman and former MIA, accounted for DPAA.

Walter E. Mintus, WWII Radioman, Accounted For By DPAA

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Navy Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Walter E. Mintus, WWII radioman, was accounted for on June 25, 2018, the DPAA announced. His funeral is scheduled for November 10th in his hometown. Mintus was a WWII radioman aboard a TBM-1c Avenger in the U.S. Navy Torpedo Squadron Fifty One (VT-51) based on the USS San Jacinto. Project Recover located the Avenger in 2016 and turned its findings over to the DPAA. Mintus took off from the USS San Jacinto on July 27th, 1944. Their aircraft was in the lead position of four Avengers. Their mission was to bomb the Japanese base at Malakal Harbor. Witnesses last sighted his aircraft 3-5 miles ahead. Later, they saw an object believed to be an airplane …