US seeks India's help in tracing America's missing heroes

New Delhi, Mar 19 (UNI) The US is launching a joint search and recovery mission with India in the next few months to trace the remains of about 430 America's missing heroes on board 90 aircraft which crashed on way to China in the Indian territory during the World War II.

Addressing a news conference here, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command Commander Rear Admiral Donna L Crisp of the US Navy said so far the debris of six aircraft reported to have been found in Arunachal Pradesh.

She said about 90 aircraft went missing while flying over India during the second World War II and about 430 Americans are believed to have gone missing on these planes.

Ms Crisp said these aircraft were believed to have been lost in mountainous and jungle areas in India.

She said the wreckage of six aircraft -- two bombers and four cargo -- were found at different sites in Arunachal Pradesh.

Ms Crisp said some people even reported to have traced the remains of crew members in these planes. ''We are quite hopeful on this.'' She said the recovery mission would be launched in late summer after another meeting with Indian defence officials to seek more details in this regard.

Ms Crisp said the Indian Defence Ministry had been very cooperative and positive and extended all possible help to trace the America's missing heroes.

''We appreciate the help from the people of India. We request them to inform the authorities if they find the remains of any such aircraft,'' she added.

Ms Crisp said in all 1356 Americans went missing during the World War II. ''Thousands of Americans have been traced since 1951 and thousands are still missing,'' she added.

UNI AG MSJ HT2015