Project Recover Uses Cutting-Edge Underwater Technology to Locate Missing Service Members
WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 80,000 American service members remain unaccounted for from past conflicts, a haunting legacy that continues to weigh on the nation. Among those still missing, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency estimates that the remains of roughly 38,000 veterans could be recoverable through advances in research and technology. A nonprofit organization called Project Recover is at the forefront of this mission, employing sophisticated underwater drones and scuba diving equipment to locate and retrieve the remains of missing service members lost in the depths of the ocean.
Founded in 2013 by Dr. Patrick Scannon, Project Recover was inspired by his discovery of a downed World War II plane while touring the Palau islands in 1993. The 65-foot wing he encountered sparked a lifelong commitment to finding missing Americans and bringing them home. Since then, the nonprofit has successfully repatriated 24 service members, working closely with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to identify and recover remains.
“This is a great American story,” said former Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, who serves on Project Recover’s advisory council. “Our work is to use technology, like underwater drones and scuba diving gear, to find the platforms that these members perished on and then do the DNA analysis of detecting and recovering their remains and matching them to those that are missing.”
Project Recover’s efforts have focused heavily on the Palau islands, a strategic location during World War II. In 1944, the U.S. military recognized Palau as a critical point in the campaign to liberate the Philippines. The battle for the island of Peleliu was expected to be brief but instead lasted 74 days, resulting in over 1,800 American fatalities and thousands more wounded or missing. The island’s airfield was a key objective, heavily defended by approximately 10,000 Japanese troops who utilized coral caves and mine shafts to evade aerial bombardments.
Through meticulous underwater searches, Project Recover teams have located dozens of aircraft wreckage sites around Palau associated with nearly 100 missing service members. These complex missions require not only finding the aircraft or shipwrecks but also determining if remains are present and then conducting DNA analysis to confirm identities.
“The recovery is difficult,” Gallaudet explained. “We first have to find the aircraft or ships, and then we’ve got to go determine if there are any remains there and then ID them, match them to the service members.” The nonprofit’s work exemplifies the commitment to leave no soldier behind, even decades after conflicts have ended.
Project Recover’s innovative approach aligns with the broader goals of the Department of Defense’s ongoing initiatives to account for missing service members worldwide. The use of advanced underwater technology represents a significant evolution in these efforts, enabling access to previously unreachable sites.
Families of missing service members have expressed gratitude for Project Recover’s dedication. The nonprofit’s work not only provides closure to loved ones but also honors the sacrifices made by those who served. As the organization continues its missions, it offers a powerful reminder of the nation’s enduring responsibility to its fallen heroes.
For more information on missing service member recovery efforts and Project Recover’s work, visit the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and Project Recover’s official website.
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