#NAUIDiveSpotlight: Project Recover – Keeping America’s Promise
Project Recover, a unique nonprofit organization, is committed to a profoundly meaningful mission: locating and recovering the remains of American service members who are still missing in action (MIA) with the goal of reuniting them to their families.
Under the leadership of President and CEO Derek Abbey, the organization combines research, advanced technology, and hands-on fieldwork to provide answers and closure to the families of over 81,000 missing Americans.
“Our work aims to heal the ambiguous loss endured by the families of these brave individuals,” says Abbey. “We strive to honor their sacrifices by ensuring they are never forgotten.”
The Role of Diving in Project Recover’s Mission
Diving plays a pivotal role in Project Recover’s work, particularly in underwater recovery operations. From their early beginnings in Palau—one of the world’s premier dive destinations—to their present-day global operations, the underwater environment remains central to their work.
Abbey, a former Marine aviator and seasoned diver, reflects on the combination of his military background and scuba diving: “For me, scuba diving became a tool, more than just recreation. It’s a way to apply skills to a mission that truly matters.”
Advanced Technologies and Techniques
Over the years, Project Recover has partnered with leading institutions like the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the University of Delaware, and the Legion Undersea Services to enhance their underwater capabilities. The introduction of side-scan sonar and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) revolutionized their search efforts, allowing them to cover vast areas of ocean floor with unprecedented speed and accuracy. These technologies complement the divers’ hands-on work, enabling safer and more efficient operations in challenging environments.
A Mission That Transforms Lives
One of Project Recover’s most notable achievements was the recovery of Lieutenant Jay Manown, an Avenger pilot shot down in 1944. His plane was located in a lagoon in Palau at a depth of 120 feet. Through meticulous efforts spanning years, the team not only recovered Manown’s remains but also identified and repatriated his crew members, Anthony Di Petta and Wilbur Mitts. Families separated by decades of loss were reunited during a memorial in Kingwood, West Virginia, providing a moment of closure.
“This mission was a full-circle achievement,” Abbey shares. “We performed every step of the process, from research and search to recovery and memorialization, for all three crew members. Seeing those families come together after 80 years was indescribable.”
How You Can Support the Mission
The dive and broader community can play an active role in supporting Project Recover:
- Spread the Word: Share Project Recover’s mission and stories on social media to raise awareness about the ongoing efforts to bring MIAs home.
- Volunteer Your Skills: If you have a relevant skill set—be it diving, research, or logistics—consider applying to contribute.
- Donate: As a nonprofit, Project Recover relies on public generosity to fund its operations. Even a small contribution helps sustain missions that traverse oceans and jungles.
- Stay Informed: Follow Project Recover on social media and subscribe to their newsletters for regular updates on their groundbreaking work.
Dive with Purpose
As divers, we understand the profound connection to the underwater world. A connection Project Recover leverages to honor history and humanity. Derek Abbey’s story, along with the organization’s tireless dedication, exemplifies how diving can transcend recreation to make a real-world impact.
Whether you’re a NAUI diver looking for inspiration or simply someone with a passion for history and service, Project Recover offers a meaningful way to connect, contribute, and dive with purpose.
Keep the promise. Dive with impact. Support Project Recover.
To stay up to date on all of Project Recover’s projects, be sure to follow them on social media @ProjectRecover or visit their website by clicking the button below!
