Underwater Tech and DNA Firms Dive into a Golden Age of WWII Soldier Recovery

The search for the remains of World War II (WWII) soldiers has evolved into a multi-decade mission fueled by technological innovation, bipartisan political will, and an unyielding public commitment to honor the fallen. With over 72,000 U.S. service members still missing from WWII, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and its private-sector partners are at the forefront of a historic effort—one that is driving explosive demand for advanced underwater exploration and forensic technologies. For investors, this convergence of emotional urgency, scientific progress, and $4 billion in federal funding by 2025 presents a rare opportunity to profit from a mission that transcends markets and borders.

The Underwater Frontier: ROVs and Sonar in Deep-Water Missions

The majority of WWII’s missing—roughly 41,000—were lost at sea, requiring specialized submersible technology to locate submerged aircraft, ships, and burial sites. Companies like Oceaneering International (OII) and Teledyne Marine, pioneers in ROV development, are critical to this effort. Their cutting-edge sonar systems and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) enable precise mapping of ocean floors, while advancements in AI-driven data analysis accelerate the identification of potential recovery sites.

The DPAA’s 2024–2025 recovery plans, though hampered by budget delays, still prioritize deep-water missions. A $300 million allocation in 2025 for historical preservation infrastructure—directly tied to site restoration and exploration—will further boost demand for these technologies. Investors should note that submersible tech firms are also benefiting from parallel growth in offshore energy and marine research, creating a dual revenue stream for companies like Submergible Tech and Sonardyne International.

The Biotech Breakthrough: DNA Analysis as the Final Key

While underwater exploration locates remains, forensic DNA analysis is the linchpin for identification. Companies such as Illumina (ILMN) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) are leading the charge in high-throughput sequencing and genealogical analysis. Their tools enable the DPAA to match decades-old bone fragments to distant relatives—often great-nephews or cousins—when direct family lines have expired.

The emotional imperative here cannot be overstated. Over 60–70% of WWII identifications now involve relatives with no personal connection to the soldier, yet communities nationwide are rallying to honor these individuals. The 2023 funeral of WWII soldier Bernard J. Sweeney Jr., which drew 1,000 attendees despite no living family, underscores a societal commitment that sustains funding and public support. For biotech firms, this translates to recurring government contracts and partnerships with institutions like the National WWII Museum, which are digitizing oral histories and artifacts to complement scientific efforts.

The Funding Engine: Government-Private Partnerships Fueling Sustained Growth

The DPAA’s 2025 budget, though delayed, reflects a bipartisan resolve to prioritize recovery missions. A proposed $4 billion allocation—divided between veteran care ($2.6B), historical preservation ($1.1B), and education ($500M)—ensures steady demand for both underwater and forensic technologies. Crucially, public-private partnerships are accelerating innovation:

• Submersible firms collaborate with the U.S. Navy to refine ROV durability and AI navigation systems.
• DNA labs partner with the DPAA to develop ancient DNA extraction kits for degraded remains.
• Educational grants fund community projects that link local histories to veterans’ stories, boosting awareness and funding.

Even as lawmakers debate budgets, the 5% contingency reserve ($200M) in the 2025 bill guarantees flexibility to address unforeseen needs, such as sudden discoveries of mass graves or environmental site remediation.

Why Invest Now?

The WWII recovery mission is a virtuous cycle of technology, funding, and societal will. For investors:

1. High Margins: Submersible and DNA tech firms operate in niche markets with limited competition.
2. Recurring Revenue: Government contracts and multi-year partnerships ensure steady cash flows.
3. Cultural Momentum: The 80th anniversary of WWII’s end in 2025 will amplify public and political pressure to “bring them home.”
4. Technological Spillover: Advances in ROVs and DNA sequencing benefit adjacent industries, from deep-sea mining to personalized medicine.

The clock is ticking. With fewer than 20 living WWII veterans per day remaining, the window to recover and honor these heroes is narrowing. For investors, the question is not if but when to allocate capital to the firms enabling this historic mission.

Final Call to Action

The search for WWII’s missing is not just a moral imperative—it’s a multi-billion-dollar investment thesis. Companies at the intersection of submersible technology and forensic science are poised to deliver outsized returns as governments and communities unite to fulfill a promise 80 years in the making. Act now before this tide of opportunity recedes.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Always consult a professional before making investment decisions.