FY 2000 WWII Report to Congress Appendix A: FY 2000 Mission Summaries

Papua New Guinea

CILHI conducted several excavations and investigations in Papua New Guinea in FY 2000, including sites at Wewak, Saidor, Lae, Port Moresby and Rabaul.

Papua New Guinea Mission 1
(15 November through 21 December 1999)

The case involved the 5 May 1944 loss of a United States Marine Corps PBJ-1D (B-25 Mitchell) while flying in a bombing mission against Tobera on New Britain Island. Human remains and personal effects were recovered in 1998 by a plantation owner. In February 1999, a CILHI recovery team re-excavated the area originally excavated by the plantation owner. Additional remains and personal effects were found. The site is located in a coconut/cocoa plantation in the vicinity of Kokopo city, Rabaul.

Papua New Guinea Mission 1-I
(Investigative / 15 January through 07 February 2000)

This mission was conducted in the vicinity of Wewak and Saidor on the big island of New Guinea. The team successfully investigated a total of 9 cases, recommending 2 for excavation.

Papua New Guinea Mission 2
(22 February through 22 March 2000)

This incident involved the loss of an L-4A aircraft in the vicinity of Saidor. The aircraft was on a forward observer mission when its pilot became disoriented and crashed into a mountain. The 9-member CILHI team successfully recovered remains and personal effects and closed the site.

Papua New Guinea Mission 2-I
(Investigative / 01 March through 21 March 2000)

This mission was conducted in the vicinity of Port Moresby and Lae on the big island. The team successfully investigated 5 cases, recommending 2 for excavation.

Papua New Guinea Mission 3-I
(Investigative / 01 March through 21 March 2000)

Papua New Guinea Mission 3-I occurred simultaneously with 2-I in the vicinity of Rabaul on the island of New Britain. The team successfully investigated 16 cases, recommending 3 for excavation. Remains were recovered from 1 site, 6 cases were recommended for further research and 7 cases were recommended for removal from the mission list.

Papua New Guinea Mission 3
(22 May through 21 June 2000)

The team pursued the excavation of an uncorrelated burial site in the vicinity of Rabaul on the island of New Britain. The team successfully recovered 4 sets of remains and personal effects and closed the site. Additionally, the team conducted 2 investigations.

FY 2000 WWII Report to Congress Appendix A: FY 2000 Mission Summaries