Apologies for the previously incomplete message, as we're so excited to get the news to you!

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

On September 4th, 1944, Di Petta, an Aviation Ordnanceman for the US Navy, manned the turret gun as he and two other crew members took off from the USS Enterprise in a TBM Avenger. This was part of Operation Forager, an offensive launched by US forces against the Imperial Japanese in the Mariana Islands and Palau. Di Petta’s Avenger was last seen spinning violently at 5,000 feet, ultimately crashing in the water of Malakal Harbor. You can read our full blog post on Di Petta's repatriation here.

Di Petta is the first repatriated MIA for whom Project Recover led every aspect of his return: search, site location, documentation, and recovery. Project Recover located the Avenger's crash site in the waters of Palau in 2015. In partnership with DPAA, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of Delaware, and Legion Undersea Services, Project Recover conducted an MIA Recovery Mission on that site in 2021.

Anthony Di Petta emigrated to the USA from Italy in 1921, and gave his life in service to his adopted country and her citizens. 

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

Together we are Keeping America's Promise.

With Gratitude -

Derek Abbey, Ph.D.

President/CEO

Project Recover
www.ProjectRecover.org

P.S. We are preparing for multiple recovery missions in 2023. Make your tax-deductible donation today to join us in bringing them home. We can’t do it without you.