The crew of the B-24 bomber Heaven Can Wait faced a tragic end on March 11, 1944. Enemy fire struck the plane near New Guinea, and all 11 men on board were lost. The plane sank deep into the Pacific Ocean, and their remains were considered unrecoverable. However, a dedicated effort by family members and a skilled Navy dive team has finally brought four of these heroes home.

        The journey to recover the remains began with Scott Althaus, a relative of one of the crew members. Althaus started investigating the plane's fate after learning about his cousin Thomas Kelly, who was just 21 when he went missing. Althaus's curiosity led him to dig into historical documents, photos, and eyewitness accounts. After years of research, he concluded that the plane likely crashed off Awar Point in Papua New Guinea.

        Project Recover, a nonprofit organization, joined the effort. They partnered with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to locate the debris field. In 2017, they found the wreckage after searching a vast area of the seafloor. The DPAA then launched an underwater recovery mission in 2023, retrieving dog tags, personal items, and remains.

        DNA testing confirmed the identities of four crew members: Staff Sgt. Eugene Darrigan, 2nd Lt. Thomas Kelly, 1st Lt. Herbert Tennyson, and 2nd Lt. Donald Sheppick. Darrigan was the first to be buried with full military honors in his hometown of Wappingers Falls, New York. Kelly will be laid to rest in Livermore, California, near his family's cemetery plot. Tennyson and Sheppick will also receive proper burials in the coming months.

        The recovery mission was a significant achievement, but it also highlighted the ongoing effort to bring home missing service members. Seven crew members from the Heaven Can Wait are still unaccounted for, and future missions may be planned to recover their remains.

        The homecomings have been emotional events, with families and communities coming together to honor these heroes. Darrigan's burial in Wappingers Falls saw over 200 people paying their respects. Kelly's remains arrived in the Bay Area, where a procession of Veterans of Foreign Wars motorcyclists will accompany him to his final resting place. Sheppick and Tennyson will also receive dignified burials, bringing closure to their families after decades of uncertainty.

        The story of the Heaven Can Wait crew is a reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II. It also showcases the dedication of family members and organizations like Project Recover, who work tirelessly to bring missing service members home. Their efforts ensure that these heroes are not forgotten and that their families can finally find peace.

MILITARY HONORS

Long-Awaited Homecoming: WWII Heroes Finally Return

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