Lt Punnel and F6F Hellcat - MIAs come home.

F6F Hellcat Discovery Leads to DPAA Accounting For Pilot Lt. William Punnell

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June 30, 2017
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Project Recover Discovery Leads to DPAA Accounting For pilot  Lt. William Punnell.

In March 2014, Project Recover located the underwater wreck of an F6F Hellcat associated with MIA WWII pilot Lt. William Punnell.  The discovery and relevant documentation were shared with the U.S. Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) so that DPAA could initiate the proper procedures for official identification, recovery and repatriation of this missing serviceman.

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On June 30, 2017, DPAA announced the  pilot Lt. William Punnell, killed during World War II, has now been accounted for.”

It has been our team’s privilege to locate the pilot Lt. William Punnell and give honor to his ultimate sacrifice, as well as the consequent sacrifices felt by the Punnell family over the ensuing 73 years.

You can read more about the actual find in the team’s 2014 progress reports. Check out these March 28th and April 1st, 2014, in our PMAN XVI Progress Report. and Mission 16 for pics and the days’ diary.

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The Team…

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  1. Keep up the amazing work. Much respect to BentProp for never forgetting the sacrifices of our heroes and their families. XOXO

  2. William Punnell was my great-uncle. The family was just recently made aware of the positive identification. Needless to say, we are still in a bit of a state of shock. We are deeply thankful to the team and all who were involved in discovering the Hellcat and in bringing Uncle Bill home. We look forward to learning more about the mission in the days to come. Thank you!

  3. Great job guys! I always love it when you find those soldiers and sailors and you bring them home. God Bless you all for what you do and keep up the fantastic work.