For the first time, The Lost Clipper Expedition V team has identified what is believed to be the most likely location of the 15 passengers and crew who vanished aboard Pan Am Airways’ Hawaii Clipper flying boat.  It disappeared with six passengers and nine crew en route from Guam to Manila, on July 28, 1938. Disappearing under highly suspicious circumstances, the Hawaii Clipper has remained one of aviation’s greatest mysteries for more than 85 years.

This historic milestone is the culmination of a 25-year effort by a dedicated team of volunteers and K9 search professionals. In collaboration with Mark9 Search & Rescue from Dallas, Texas, led by Mike Holmberg and his exceptional search dog, Aspen, as well as Zephrin Allen and his eager partner, Kao, the team uncovered critical items in Micronesia that validate decades of meticulous research.

AKC Canine CGC, AWDA Human Remains Detection Type IV, AWDA Wilderness Area Search Type III

Mike Holmberg is the former Team President and the lead Human Remains Instructor for MARK9 Search and Rescue based in the Dallas area. Mike is also a K9 handler on the team. His current K9 partner is Aspen, a 6-year-old German Shepherd. Team Aspen has been certified in Human remains detection by the American Working Dog Association. Mike has been with MARK9 for 14+ years and has been on over 300 missions with Aspen and his previous partner, Faith, supporting law enforcement on missing persons and cold cases.  This work has provided answers to many families regarding missing loved ones.

Aspen is a black sable German Shepard who has a high drive and loves to work. She loves her job and just wants to please. She’s a little shy when she first meets you but is very sweet and friendly. When she isn’t training or searching for MARK9, she loves aggravating her 6 pack-mates, camping, and playing around the house.

AKC Canine CGC, Wilderness, Urban, AWDA Wilderness Area Search Type III and IV, AWDA Human Remains Detection Type III, IV, and V, NSDA Land Human Remains Detection

Zephrin Allen has been involved in Search and Rescue (SAR) since 2016 when he’s earned the ability to deploy two SAR K-9s.  His first SAR K-9 is a German Shepherd from Slovakian/Czech bloodlines named Kao who is certified in Human Remains Detection.  Kao received his first SAR certification in 2017 and has maintained his certification since that time.  Zephrin later added his second K-9 SAR partner, a black Labrador Retriever named Prissy. Prissy earned her initial certification in 2022 and remains certified to this day.

In addition to serving as a SAR K-9 handler Zephrin serves as the Team Leader and Head Canine Trainer for MARK9 Search and Rescue based in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex area in Texas.  Zephrin is also on the Board of Directors and K-9 Evaluator for the National Search Dog Alliance, Apprentice Human Remains Detection K-9 Instructor for the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University, and the creator/host of the Hunt-Find-Alert K-9 SAR podcast.

Zephrin holds membership in multiple SAR organizations including the National Search Dog Alliance, American Working Dog Association, Search Dog Organization of North America, and the American Mantrailing, Police & Work Dog Association.

In his professional career, Zephrin is a Jr. Executive for a software company based in Texas.  He earned a Criminal Justice degree from the University of North Texas and since that time he’s worked with hundreds of government clients implementing software from coast to coast.

The entire Lost Clipper team would like to thank Zephrin Allen and Mike Holmberg as well as their search dogs, Kao and Aspen, for going above and beyond during our recent Expedition V. They were recently presented these plaques (below) to thank them for finding a number of “hits” on location and samples that we retrieved for forensic studies.

While expensive forensic analysis and needed funding are the next critical steps, this achievement marks a turning point in the quest to uncover the truth behind the Hawaii Clipper’s disappearance. The entire Lost Clipper team is immensely proud of this milestone and the tireless dedication of everyone involved. Our work not only brings us closer to solving this historic mystery, but also offers the hope of long-awaited answers for families who have spent decades searching for closure.

*MARK9 Search and Rescue (SAR) provides FREE services to Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue, Parks and Wildlife and other official agencies of any size that require the use of highly skilled K9s and handlers to locate missing people.  The team motto is “Always Ready, Ever Able” so the team is available 24/7/365.

        EMERGENCY CONTACT: 972-286-8426         EMAIL: INFO@MARK9.ORG

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