On a small plot of farmland in northern Germany, U.S. service members and civilians are working to recover the remains of airmen lost during World War II.
Their work can be messy, but their mission is sacred: The 25-member team is with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which is dedicated to fulfilling the nation’s promise to leave no service member behind. The agency searches in 45 nations for missing U.S. service members from past conflicts.
This team is in Wistedt, Germany, searching for remains from members of a 10-person flight crew of a B-24H Liberator last seen returning from a bombing run. It was presumed shot down, with the loss of all crew members.
Recovery efforts began last month. Already, the team has recovered parts of the aircraft and personal effects of the airmen.
