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Over the course of P-MAN VI, we coordinated
activities with the JPAC Recovery Team by introducing them to each of
four BentProp sites prior to initiation of their independent field work,
as well as providing assistance, as requested:
- Babeldaob (Ngatpang)
- Malakal Harbor (Koror)
- Peleliu
- Ngatpang State [this fourth site, the Arnett Corsair,
is not shown on the map. It was visited also by the JPAC team for possible
later recovery operations]
The JPAC team arrived by USAF C-17 on
15 JAN 04 and consisted of:
William Belcher, PhD,
Archeologist/Forensic Anthropologist
Captain David Young,
Officer-in-Charge (US Army)
SFC William Young,
NCO-in-Charge (US Army)
SGT Darrel Castro
(US Army)
SSG Joaquim "Jay" Andujar
(US Army)
SSG Kenneth "Blake" R. Pospisil
(USMC)
HM Daniel "Chief" Heintz
(US Navy)
PH1 Gloria Berry
(US Navy)
GySGT Ian Denny
(USMC)
Their objectives included investigating
three target sites (see above map) previously identified by BentProp teams
[Babeldaob (P-MAN III), Malakal Harbor (P-MAN V), Peleliu (P-MAN V)] to
look for remains of up to four missing American airmen. It was my privilege
to attend and assist in a number of meetings with the JPAC leadership
and Palauan leadership (national and state officials and chiefs) to facilitate
their operations, as well as coordinate our missions, on different locations
throughout the Palau Islands. As with past missions, both JPAC and the
P-MAN VI team worked closely with Ms. Vicky Kanai and Ms. Rita Ulsudong
at the Palauan Historical Preservation Office.
After these introductory meetings and in concurrence with HPO, the P-MAN
VI team took the JPAC team to each of the three sites, after which each
team assumed their respective mission responsibilities. The two teams
did have occasions to support each other during our overlapping stays
in Palau - as is documented below. Just before returning to Hawaii, the
JPAC team, led by BentProp Project's master guide Joe Maldangesang (JM),
also investigated a fourth site (Arnett Corsair), previously found by
the P-MAN II team deep in the Babeldaob jungle. Since JPAC is still investigating
their three sites, this report will not include JPAC's findings.
JPAC arrives in USAF C17 on Babeldaob - the same
runway used 60 years ago for then-enemy Japanese aircraft. Photo courtesy
of Pat Scannon, © 2004.
The SeaBees (01/24 Construction Unit) assist JPAC:
Chief John Grant (left) supplies a big rig to haul JPAC materiel to
base operations. Next to him are the BentProp greeting committee:
Reid Joyce and Pat Scannon. Photo courtesy of Pat Scannon, ©
2004.
JPAC and P-MAN VI leadership meet with HPO and
Ngatpang State leadership to discuss plans and coordination. L to
R: Ms. Vicki Kanai
(Director, HPO), Dr. Pat Scannon
(P-MAN VI), CPT David Young
(JPAC), Dr. William Belcher
(JPAC), Mr. David Shipper
(Legal Counsel, President's Office), Ms.
Rita Ulsudong (National Archeologist, HPO),
Ms. Francesca Otang
(Executive Director, Ngatpang State), Governor
Shallum Etpison (Ngatpang State). With permission,
2004
JPAC on the dredging barge at Nelson Corsair crash
site in Malakal Harbor. Photo courtesy of PostStar Productions, ©
2004.
JPAC and BentProp teams at Peleliu Avenger crash
site. Photo courtesy of Reid Joyce, ©2004.
Aerial photo of JPAC on cleared site looking for executed
American POWs from B24 crew on Babeldaob. Photo courtesy of PostStar
Productions, ©2004.
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