"WE ARE the individuals who were featured in the Globe’s May 25, 2009 (Memorial Day) front page story “Remains are lost in race for relics: Brisk trade in WWII planes thwarts efforts to recover missing fliers.’’ We are writing to make clear that our efforts to recover lost military aircraft have at all times been appropriate, lawful and in the best interests of the families who seek the return of their fallen heroes years after they have been lost in war.

The facts about the recovery of the P-47D Thunderbolt flown by Airman Carter Lutes which crashed in the jungle of Papua New Guinea in April 1944 are as follows. We proceeded with the recovery of the aircraft with all necessary approvals. Prior to undertaking the recovery, the crash site had been visited multiple times by both United States and New Guinea officials and evidence suggested that Lutes had survived the crash, opened the cockpit from the inside of the plane, and then left the area. Inspection of the interior cockpit release mechanism and the discovery of military field rations at the site more than confirmed the fact that Lutes’ remains were not at the site to recover, and we do not believe we interfered with any effort at their recovery. In fact, our efforts were instrumental in preserving and recovering the aircraft as it was in immediate danger of being lost to a landslide if recovery were delayed.

The public should also know that our nonprofit work was undertaken as part of ongoing and broader efforts by Alfred (Fred) Hagen to assist in the recovery of lost heroes, at his own expense and out of generosity. Mr. Hagen’s work to date has led to the return of over a score of airmen to their families. Mr. Hagen is motivated in his efforts by his personal experience in recovering the remains of his own family members who were lost in WWII."

ww2 - The Boston Globe