We are proud to announce AOM1c Anthony Dipetta has been accounted for and repatriated to the United States of America as a result of Project Recover's mission to bring MIAs home.

Dipetta served as an ordnanceman on a TBM Avenger. In 1944, he was based on the USS Enterprise as a member of Torpedo Squadron 20 (VT-20). The Enterprise was there along with 15 other carriers as a part of Task Force 38. They were conducting pre-invasion strikes on Palau in preparation for the invasion of Peleliu. Dipetta’s Avenger was last seen spinning violently at 5,000 feet, ultimately crashing in the water of Malakal Harbor. 

AOM1 Dipetta is the first repatriated MIA for whom Project Recover led every aspect of his return: search, documentation, and recovery. Project Recover located the Avenger's crash site in the waters of Palau in 2015 in partnership with Scripps Institution of Oceanography and University of Delaware's College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment. We conducted a successful MIA Recovery Mission on the site in 2021 in partnership with DPAA, SIO, and Legion Undersea Services.

Anthony Dipetta emigrated to the USA from Italy in 1921. Like so many who came to these shores “yearning to breathe free,” Dipetta gave his life in service to his adopted country and her citizens. 

Dipetta has been returned home to his family, community, and a grateful Nation because of you. The number of search, documentation, and recovery missions we can conduct on land or sea is a direct result of the contributions we receive from people like you. Thank you.

Together, we are #KeepingAmericasPromise. 

With Gratitude -

Dere Abbey, Ph.D.

President/CEO

Project Recover