After being outsmarted by the frame, only to find out the recliner is held down by some screws (difficult to get at I may add) as Seven Gable stated, I found the root cause of my issue. See photo below. Release mechanism had come undone, and my tension spring had sprung. After a few email exchanges with Lippert Interiors in attempt to get a replacement spring, the representative did locate a replacement mechanism for me, at the bargain price of $250.
I quickly learned how to rewind the spring into some sort of assemblance, and after a few attempts, got the spring, mandrel, mechanism, bolt and nut together, and the release mechanism is functioning. Looking forward to reclining in Jonathan Dickinson State Park in a couple weeks.