Museum Staff Members Join MIA Research Project

January 2, 2020 - On December 16, EAA Aviation Museum staff had the chance to work alongside researchers with the MIA Recovery and Identification Project from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

This program works to enhance the identification of those who served this country and who remain listed as Missing in Action. These soldiers, sailors, and airmen never received a proper burial, and in many cases, questions remain about how they lost their lives. Currently, the program focuses its efforts on World War II veterans, but down the road it may expand to Korea and Vietnam.

Project historians Alicia Lawson and Samantha Zinnen came to the museum to work alongside museum curator Ben Page and programs coordinator Chris Henry to research individual units for upcoming projects. Several of the artifacts on display in the museum help paint a picture of what life was like for these combat crews.

While here, they also had the opportunity to climb aboard EAA's B-25. The experience gave them a feel for the close quarters in which airmen flew during the war, as well as a chance to see what these aircraft whole, providing insight into what components they may see during a future dig.