2008 Great Lakes Film Festival 

Last Flight Home: Searching for and Finding MIAs

Documentary Feature

Director: Jennifer Powers & Daniel T. O'Brien

Run Time: 1 hr 7 secs

Website: http://www.LastFlightHome.org

Synopsis:  

The 'Last Flight Home' documents the story of Dr. Patrick Scannon’s work searching for and finding missing World War II aircraft and the MIAs associated with them in Palau. A ferocious battleground nearly forgotten by history, yet more than 200 aircraft went down on and around the islands. More than half of those with crew now listed as Missing In Action.

Over sixty years ago all they got was a telegram. Whereabouts unknown, Missing In Action. And over the generations these families have refused to forget and refused to stop waiting. For an answer, for their return, for some clue as to what happened. Surprising though it may be, hope has remained. Then, the phone call out of the blue, “Are you the nephew of Arthur Miller”, finally brings the answers.

Dr. Scannon furthers his research into the MIAs of Palau. Scouring the National Archives, After Action Reports and interviews with veterans of the campaign, no stone left unturned. Scannon’s small team of self funded private citizens have taken on these tasks simply as a way of thanking the missing and their families for the sacrifices made decades ago.

Our film follows the story of three searches in Palau and the families touched by the work. Filmed over the course of nearly six years and six expeditions to Palau, where we thought the adventure was to be found. It was our delight to discover the adventure and heart of the story here in the US with the families.

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