ISSUE 06 | WINTER 2025

DIG IN GERMANY

After three successful field operations in Belgium resulting in the recovery of Staff Sergeant Henry Stevens, the UW MIA RIP team returned to the field this past summer. UW MIA RIP Program Director Mr. Charles Konsitzke, Lead Archaeologist Dr. Gregg Jamison, pre-doctoral students Alicia Lawson and Ella Axelrod, graduate students Shanna Kang and Lizzy Nist, and volunteers Eric Morefield, Mike MacLaren, Sara Huntsman, Torrey Tiedeman, Dan Joyce, Donald Runaas, Ken Ritchie and Kristin Schneider, travelled to Germany to excavate a site in partnership with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). Working in farmland, the team used a combination of hand tools and heavy machinery to excavate an aircraft crash site. As with all recovery operations, details of the dig are confidential. The team hopes their work this past summer will bring closure to families of missing American servicemembers.

STUDENT VOLUNTEER PROFILE

Lauren Jentsch

Ms. Lauren Jentsch is the Student Lead Researcher for the Project. She provides guidance and resources to student volunteers in their work on cases and manages whole-team efforts. Ms. Jentsch is currently studying Political Science and Legal Studies with a certificate in Public Policy. Ms. Jentsch eventually hopes to join a career in law and public service. She joined the MIA Project in Fall 2023, drawn to the historical research aspect of the cases and the Project’s impact on local Wisconsinites.

VISIT FROM THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA NATIONAL MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY

In November 2024, the team hosted Mr. Alois Kuaso, Deputy Director for Science Research and Consultancy Division at the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery. Coordinated by the Command Historian for the Wisconsin National Guard, Captain Florian Waitl, Mr. Kuaso’s visit aimed to foster relations between the UW MIA RIP, Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery, and University of Papua New Guinea. The visit also served as a coordination meeting for the UW MIA RIP’s upcoming field mission to locate and hopefully recover missing American servicemembers in Papua New Guinea in summer 2025.

UW MIA TEAM IN THE COMMUNITY

The UW-MIA Team has been out and about partnering with the community to bring awareness to the cause and help raise funds for future missions. Some of the key events we participated in over the past few months include the Oxford VFW (Post 6003) Fireball Run and Road America.

Fireball Run 2024, Oxford VFW (Post 6003)

VISITING THE "WAR ROOM"

John Bechtol of VFW Post 8216

Wisconsin VFW Commander Ron Ramos and SR Vice Commander Ty Letto

The UW-MIA Team has hosted a variety of guests in "The War Room" over the past few months. Recently, the State of Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Commander Mr. Ron Ramos and Senior Vice Commander Mr. Ty Letto also visited the “War Room.” The Commander and Vice Commander’s visit included discussions with Mr. Konsitzke regarding the VFW’s ongoing support of UW MIA RIP operations.

ACKNOWLEDGING OUR GENEROUS DONORS

The work we do at the UW MIA Recovery and Identification Project would not be possible without the generous support of our donors.

‧New Glarus Brewing

‧Grand Appliance

‧Oxford VFW Post 6003

‧Madison VFW Post 7591

‧Wisconsin VFWs and Auxiliaries

‧Wisconsin American Legions and Auxiliaries

‧Rolling Thunder

UW MIA Recovery and Identification Project

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON
425 Henry Mall, Suite 3130 | Madison, WI 53706
MIA@biotech.wisc.edu