Accounting for what was lost
11.10.2026 at 03:08pm
Lt. Avery Gilliland (back row, second from right) poses with fellow members of the nine-man B-24J Liberator crew. All nine died on Dec. 26, 1944, when anti-aircraft fire struck their bomber during a bombing mission in Poland, breaking the plane in two. Three ASU ROTC cadets had the opportunity to work on the recovery site through a study abroad program facilitated by the Arizona Center for the Missing in Action. Courtesy photo
Three Arizona State University ROTC cadets joined a World War II bomber recovery mission in Poland to help account for missing American service members and carry their legacy forward.
Story highlights
- Three ASU ROTC cadets spent three weeks in Poland, working at the site of a World War II bomber crash.
- The study abroad program teaches cadets an essential lesson about learning to lead: Understanding what can be lost.
- While working on the project, the team received news that previously recovered remains had been identified as an Arizona resident.
Note: This story is part of ASU’s 2026 Salute to Service coverage.
Students from Arizona State University and the University of California, Davis, work alongside Alta Archeology employees to search for missing service members at the site of a World War II bomber crash. Courtesy photo.
Commenting is available to active SWJ members and staff.