This is a secondary article on the recovery of the remains of US Navy Aviation Ordnanceman Anthony Di Petta who was KIA in WW II over Malakal Naval District, Palau Islands. Some noted a concern over the accuracy of the identification of the remains: In a answer to those concerns I am adding this from this article.
From 2003 to 2018, the BentProp Project, now known as Project Recover, and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency resumed the search, conducting six investigations.
In 2015, Project Recover, a nonprofit organization that aids in the search and recovery of missing Americans, located Di Petta’s downed Avenger in Palauan waters.
In September 2021, Project Recover found additional remains and material evidence, which were sent to the DPAA laboratory at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for analysis.
Dental records and mitochondrial DNA were used to identify Di Petta’s remains. The news was confirmed on Jan. 3, and his family was notified. He will be buried in Wrightstown, NJ, on Tuesday, the Defense Department said.
I’m so glad his family could finally have him back home. On July 3, no less. Must have been so bitter sweet - prayers up for his family as they turn their hearts to this pain and restoration.