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The discovery of a WWII bomber at the bottom of the sea marks the end of incredible 27-year journey to find out what happened to a long-lost airman. Since 1983, Gerald Landry has dedicated his time to researching First Lieutenant Russell Landry’s final moments – along with his B-24, the 'Tulsamerican'.
He became fascinated with his cousin’s disappearance from the age of seven when he was told he had died while fighting overseas. He said: ‘Those memories never left me, and I believe it was that long ago that I thought one day I would try and find out what really happened to him.’
However, after years of research, it was actually a chance discovery made in the Adriatic Sea that led to the B-24 being identified. Darko Bojanic, a fan of wreck diving, stumbled across the remains and launched an investigation with the Croatian Conservation Institute and the Department of Underwater Archaeology in Zagreb.
The plane's data plate serial number - 42-51430 - matched one recorded for the Tulsamerican - and Mr Bojanic was led to Mr Landry. Now, 66 year after the aircraft crashed, Mr Landry and his wife Carol, 63, from Azusa, California, will travel to the site at the Croatian Island of Vis, about 60 miles off the coast of Italy.
They will meet with the dive team who brought the search to an end and pay their respects to 1Lt and his crew in a ceremony. He said: 'We will lower three wreaths to the aeroplane and an American flag, along with a sleeve from one of my WWII shirts that will have a 15th Army Air Force patch and a set of wings attached.
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