DOES THE RECOVERY OF ONE LONE BOMBARDIER FROM WWII MATTER?

SHOULD THE ONLY AIRMAN AS YET UNREPATRIATED FROM STALAG LUFT III FINALLY MAKE IT HOME?  

SHOULD AMERICA'S PROMISE TO SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN INCLUDE CLOSURE FOR A FAMILY AFTER 7 DECADES?

 THE DEFENSE POW/MIA ACCOUNTING AGENCY (DPAA)

SAID "YES!!!"

In August, 2015, it was thought that after 71 years, Northwest Florida's deceased Lt. Ewart T. Sconiers might soon return home to rest beside his mother, Maude Sconiers, in DeFuniak Springs. The scheduled DPAA mission was historic in that Lt. Sconiers had been the only American POW unrecovered from Stalag Luft III, the German prison camp made famous by the movie The Great Escape. Beginning August 5, Dr. Jarrod Burks, Director of Archaeological Geophysics with Ohio Valley Archaeology, Inc. (OVAI) of Columbus, Ohio, was to lead the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) mission to recover Sconiers, a decorated WWII hero whose remains were thought to most likely be located in the northeast corner of what is now Allies Park in Lubin, Poland. OVAI specializes in historic and prehistoric archaeology, geophysical archaeologcal survey, geospatial analysis, and cemetery surveys. Dr. Burks' Columbus team included human osteologist Kellie Locke-Rogers, Ted Sunderhaus, Jamie Davis, and Dr. Albert Pecora.  

The team concluded its work on schedule and returned safely to Ohio. Their contract does not permit them to release their findings. Only DPAA can positively identify remains. Had remains they might have found been those of Lt. Sconiers, then DPAA would have conducted DNA testing. Months later, it was revealed that the team did not find Sconiers.

The sole source contract awarded OVAI was among the first examples, if not the first such contract, to demonstrate DPAA's strategy to forge viable partnerships to help mobilize and leverage resources for maximum efficiency and effectiveness as DPAA strives to dramatically increase the number of recoveries each year. 

Some 83,000 personnel are still missing from all conflicts; of that number, 73,000 are missing from WWII.  Of that number, approximately 35,000 may be recoverable. Underscoring a more proactive approach to accounting, fiscal year 2015 was set as the starting date to increase to 200 the number of personnel accounted for annually.

The mission of DPAA is to "provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation." Bpth DPAA and OVAI were driven by the mottos "keeping the promise" and "until they are home."

At the time of the August mission, Lt. Sconiers' Primary-Next-of-Kin, Pamela Sconiers Whitelock, spoke on the family's behalf, saying, "Though we certainly know there are no guarantees, DPAA has created the best possible scenario. Dr. Burks is a highly respected archaeologist who specializes in locating things that are difficult to find. He has thoroughly studied my uncle's case; conducted the geophysical survey that pinpointed the likely area where my uncle was buried; presented much-needed scientific data to DPAA; and is passionately devoted to finding the remains. Also pivotal to the August mission is the leadership at DPAA. We couldn't ask for more and believe our story exemplifies the best in public-private partnerships and the unequivocal nature of the promise our government makes to every person who serves."

PHOTO, left to right: Dr. Albert Pecora, Ted Sunderhaus, Kellie Locke-Rogers, Pamela S. Whitelock, Dr. Jarrod Burks, Jamie Davis 

THANK YOU,

MAJ. GEN. KELLY K. MCKEAGUE

and

MR. JOHNIE E. WEBB, JR.

Thanks to the noble, unyielding commitment of Maj. Gen. Kelly K. McKeague, DPAA Deputy Director, and that of Mr. Johnie E. Webb, Jr., Deputy for External Relations and Legislative Affairs, the recovery of 1st Lt. Ewart T. Sconiers is scheduled for fiscal year 2015.  

Pemits must be secured for excavation. Once those are in hand, the exact date for the mission will be set and this website will be updated accordingly.

To those past, current, and future members of our Armed Forces, you may be assured America sacredly values the price you are willing to pay for all we hold dear. 

INDEED, SIRS, 

"IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO"!

Mr. Johnie E. Webb, Jr.

and 

Pamela Sconiers Whitelock

at

DPMO Family Update Meeting  September 13, 2014

Maj. General Kelly K. McKeague

THANK YOU, AS WELL,

TO ALL THOSE WHO

FORGED THE PARTNERSHIP

TO HELP MAKE THIS POSSIBLE

NOTE: In 2015, the Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) and the Joint POW/MIA Account Command (JPAC) merged into one agency, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). References below relate to the organizational structure in place at the times noted.

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Prior to the geophysical survey conducted in 2012, efforts to recover Lt. Sconiers were stalled.  He was, literally, a hero in a haystack of hundreds of unmarked graves in what is now lovely Allies Park in Lubin, Poland.  Without significant, credible scientific data, it would have been impossible for DPAA to find him.

With approval and guidance from JPAC, volunteer contribution of the expertise and time of Dr. Jarrod Burks and support of his company (Ohio Valley Archaeology, Inc.), shipping of Dr. Burks' equipment provided by DHL Global Forwarding, and Dr. Burks' travel paid by individual contributors, Dr. Burks was able to survey the park and identify the northeast corner as the site for excavation.

On his own time and in conjunction with a conference already on his professional agenda, Dr. Burks presented his impressive findings in person to JPAC in Hawaii in 2013.

His report complemented JPAC's assessment of DPMO and JPAC's historical research, aerial photography, and actual burial photos.  

TO THOSE OF YOU READING THIS WHO HELPED MAKE THIS CRITICAL STEP POSSIBLE, KNOW YOU, TOO, ARE PROMISE KEEPERS.