MIA Recoveries -
Locating and recovering US airmen lost in the China-Burma-India theater during WW II

What we do...

This website was established by Clayton Kuhles.  The purpose of this website is to disseminate information about my ongoing expeditions in China, Burma and India to locate and recover missing-in-action (MIA) US airmen who disappeared in that area of Asia during WW II.

The information posted on this website is intended to help bring some level of closure to the surviving family members and friends of these long-missing men.

Historical Background...

During WW II, The US lost hundreds of aircraft in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater of operations.  Although hostile fire from Japanese forces accounted for many of these aircraft losses, the majority of US aircraft were lost due to inhospitable weather, mechanical failure or navigational error.
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Wreckage of C-47A #42-24360

Main landing gear of C-87 #41-23791

Where is my Son?

Read the poem Where is my Son? by Pearl Dunaway. Pearl Dunaway was the mother of SSgt. Joseph W. Dunaway, who died with 14 other men when B-25 #0010 disappeared on the Hump route on 04 July 1945.

Click to read Where is my Son?

The Aluminum Trail is the "Bible" of aircraft accidents on the Hump route, and was compiled by Chic Marrs Quinn whose husband died in a C-109 crash on the Hump route on 27 Feb 1945.

Excerpt from the book The Aluminum Trail by Chic Marrs Quinn

A steak of silver in the sky...the engines roar...propellers try...

To lift the giant screaming plane...above the mountains drenched with rain...

Black ominous clouds and gale winds blow...amid the ice and swirling snow...

As plane and crew, with every breath...tries to win a fight with death...

To climb above the snow capped peak...a place not far for the very weak...

The plane is in a mighty grip...the crew can hear the metal rip...

As suction lifts them like a kite...above the peaks into the night...

Then, just as quickly dropped like snow...into the jutting rocks below...

Time has run out for plotted goals...a cry aloud, "God save our souls!"...

A crash like thunder, a flash of light...then silence in the blackened night...

Crumpled engines, wings and tail...help pave the "Hump's" Aluminum Trail...

A dog tag here...a jacket there, a picture worn by love and care...

A parachute unopened lay...no time to jump, no time to pray...

In this far, forgotten place, of jungles, mountains, rocks and space...

The wreckage lay like broken toys...discarded by mischievous boys...

And boys they were of tender years...and families weep in silent tears...

To know the sacrifice they made...the part their gift for freedom played...

Lieutenants, Captains, Sergeants too...Privates, maintenance, or crew...

Whatever rank, whatever job...they did their best with each heart throb...

Some gave their lives to save a friend...a brother to the very end...

They gave their lives, so we might live...what more can any person give.

Important Notice: These MIA recovery expeditions and this website have been almost entirely self-funded by Clayton Kuhles.  No funding is received from the US government.  If you believe this is a worthwhile humanitarian project that needs to be pursued, then please visit the Funding page on this website to see how easy it is to support this project in a meaningful manner.  MIA Recoveries, Inc is a tax-exempt public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Donations to MIA Recoveries, Inc are deductible under section 170 of the Code.  Thank you!