Missing WWII Airman Identified and Returned Home 8 Decades Later, Thanks to U of I Professor’s Tireless Efforts

A Long Wait for Closure

After 81 years of uncertainty, the family of Second Lieutenant Thomas B. Kelly finally received answers. Kelly was a bombardier in World War II, believed to have been shot down near New Guinea while flying aboard the B-24 bomber Heaven Can Wait. Like many families of those listed as missing in action, Kelly’s relatives were left with only a memorial and unanswered questions. For decades, his final moments remained unknown.

University of Illinois professor Scott Althaus, who grew up hearing only silence about Kelly, felt a personal responsibility to uncover the truth. Inspired by a family connection and a deep interest in military history, he began looking into the mission that took Kelly’s life. What started as a personal Memorial Day project in 2013 slowly became a years-long investigation.

From Family Grief to Focused Research

Althaus gathered information from wartime records, eyewitness accounts, and interviews with veterans. Over time, he built a clearer picture of Kelly’s final mission. His dedication eventually connected him with Project Recover, a nonprofit that locates and documents missing American service members.

In 2018, Project Recover located the Heaven Can Wait under 200 feet of water. The discovery offered hope but also presented a major challenge. Recovering remains from such a depth had never been attempted by the military. Still, the information Althaus compiled helped the U.S. Navy plan and launch a difficult recovery mission.

Bringing Them Home

Deep-sea divers spent weeks carefully retrieving the remains of the bomber’s crew. Among those identified was Second Lieutenant Thomas B. Kelly. His fellow crew members, including pilot Herbert Tennyson, co-pilot Michael McFadden, and others, were also honored. Thanks to one professor’s years of persistence, they were finally returned home.