U.S. Army Dog Tag - Beach Find **UPDATE 2010** Soldier's Photo added

[DrJoePrime]

READ THE UPDATE HERE!

I guess we all enjoy finding the "valuables" in our hunts....but what really turns me on is finding "history". One of my favorite finds is a WW2 Victory Medal. It was in horrible corroded condition but trying to ID it made for a few really enjoyable days.

Yesterday I found this rectangular piece of metal at the beach. It's a place where I've found some nice older silver coins which popped out of a berm of sand buildup. I didn't know exactly what I had but put it in my valuables pouch with the little silver clasp piece. That was it for the valuables of the day.

I cleaned the tag to the point I could read the name and was elated to discover it WAS a real Dog Tag!

I already made a search and have a phone number, here in California. BUT can it be so easy? The number was busy for the hour I spent trying to call. I did a Google search on the name and came up with a patent issued in 1920 and a probate date of 1980.

This evening I will try again. I know the Dog Tag has a potential to be of very important sentimental value and I would much rather find someone wanting it even more than I do.

HH Joe

*UPDATE Dec 2009: Somehow the wife and I got together via AOL Instant Messaging. It's very, very strange because neither of us was aware of the other's AOL name. She said my name just popped up in her IM box.

Well she checked with her grandsons and found out that the tag was truly missing and she'll be thrilled to get it back. I am hoping for a photo of her to official end this thread. Gotta Love this hobby!

[kimsdad]

Great find, Dr Joe!!

I have learned to appreciate the history behind the finds from the guys I hunt with and from other T-Netters. Please keep us posted on your return efforts!!

[phantomfinder]

LOSTS BUT NOT FORGOTTEN , WTG ..... Good luck finding it's owner

[Nick A]

I found this guy in the 1930 Census in San Antonio, Los Angeles County, California. Also, Social Security and California Death Index.

I think he was Hugh Jay Multer born May 5, 1921. He died April 15, 1984. He lived in Ventura, California. There is an address and phone listing for 1993 through 2002 for him (probably his widow) at 7224 Mesa Circle in Ventura. The phone # is 8056445436, but that was 6 years ago.

He got a marriage license in 1942 to marry Florence Melchat.

This is his 1938 Huntington Park High School photo.

[DrJoePrime]

This is his 1938 Huntington Park High School photo.

THANKS for your efforts....WOW ...pretty fantastic. You want to hear a weird coincidence? I too attended Huntington Park High School (but for only a year). I lived there with my parents and got married in that city too.

The phone number I got from the internet had a "2" in place of the "3"..so I'll try both versions tonight when I call.

Gotta love this hobby.

HH Joe

[Detectingfreak]

nice dog tag! Hope the owner gets it!

[Minelab Ron]

I found a WWI Draft Card for a Hugh James Multer, also from California...maybe if not him, his father or other relative?

I believe what I found could be his parents...

Here's a pic of his Mom and Dad as per their passports:

U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925
Name: Hugh J Multer
Birth Date: 18 Aug 1894
Birth Place: Lyons, New York
RESIDENCE: Los Angeles, California
Passport Issue Date: 5 Nov 1919
Father Name: Leland H Multer
Father's Birth Location: Ashford, New York
Father's Residence: Los Angeles, California
Passport Includes a Photo: Y
Source: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925 (M1490)

Hugh Jay Multer's Death Cert info:
California Death Index, 1940-1997
Name: Hugh Jay Multer
Social Security #: 552281737
Sex: MALE
Birth Date: 5 May 1921
Birthplace: New York
Death Date: 15 Apr 1984
Death Place: Ventura
Mother's Maiden Name: Wykle

Pic one: Draft Card WWI
Pic two: Draft Card WWI
Pic three: Hugh's pic from 1917 passport
Pic four: Hugh's pic from 1919 passport
Pic five: Hugh's wife's pic from 1919 passport
Pic six: Marriage announcement
Pic seven: Obiturary of Florence. Hugh Sr had a brother named Leland, same as their father's name.

[ziphius]

Joe,

Nice find! And to the others who helped you sleuth out the ID, great detective work. The photos from two different posters appear to be a match. I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of this story!

Jim

[kdismuke1]

OUTSTANDING.

[texan connection]

Jeez how do yall do that his kids probaly dont even have that information

[Urban Grund]

I hope the search works out for you. What a moment it would be, to hand it over to the family it belongs to! NICE!

[Bavaria Mike]

Great find! I hope you can find the owner/children. HH, Mike

[rtde3]

Great story! Keep us posted!

[DrJoePrime]

UPDATE 3 Dec 2008:

Well I reached the phone number and Mrs. Florence Multer is still alive and apparently well.

Sadly, she seemed very put off by my call from the "blue". All the tact I could muster did not help to have her listen to me and she abruptly hung up. She said she didn't want it, maybe she expected me to ask for money? It's a sad state of affairs due to all the scammers out there today that we all have to be so suspicious and always on guard.

Any opinions on how to approach a situation like this in the future?

Well the Dog Tag is mine now.

HH Joe

[rtde3]

Maybe she divorced him? And didn't want anything to do with him? You are right about people thinking you are trying to scam them. I found a guys class ring he lost 43 years ago & he just would not believe me when I told him. Then I told him the details of where it was found.

[Ed-NH]

UPDATE 3 Dec 2008:

Well I reached the phone number and Mrs. Florence Multer is still alive and apparently well.

Sadly, she seemed very put off by my call from the "blue". All the tact I could muster did not help to have her listen to me and she abruptly hung up. She said she didn't want it, maybe she expected me to ask for money? It's a sad state of affairs due to all the scammers out there today that we all have to be so suspicious and always on guard.

Any opinions on how to approach a situation like this in the future?

Well the Dog Tag is mine now.

HH Joe

Just a thought, if you have the address you could send it to her in the mail with a letter. She can't hang up on a letter and maybe she will realize that you are trying to do a good thing. btw nice find and great effort!

[kimsdad]

Sorry Dr. Joe!
Most folks would love to have something like that returned to the family. For whatever reason, you didn't luck out with this call.

I'd hang on to the tag. If you still want to pursue it, go ahead and send the letter, along with a Xerox copy of the tag. She may have kids or a caretaker who she can show the letter to and you might get a response. Be sure to include an email address so the kids can get ahold of you easily, without having to write a letter.

I got ahold of one of my dad's war buddys and sent him some pictures that my dad took back in their training days. I sent a letter to his house and a daughter-in-law contacted me via email.

If no one wants the tag, you will still have it and its story to wonder about.

Nice job on trying to return the tag, and don't let this one discourage you!

[crazyjarhead]

Too bad about that. Maybe she had been through a divorce or maybe he was dead and she didn't want to open old "old wounds" Great effort on your behalf for taking the time and trying

[CRUSADER]

UPDATE 3 Dec 2008:

Well I reached the phone number and Mrs. Florence Multer is still alive and apparently well.

Sadly, she seemed very put off by my call from the "blue". All the tact I could muster did not help to have her listen to me and she abruptly hung up. She said she didn't want it, maybe she expected me to ask for money? It's a sad state of affairs due to all the scammers out there today that we all have to be so suspicious and always on guard.

Any opinions on how to approach a situation like this in the future?

Well the Dog Tag is mine now.

HH Joe

Just a thought, if you have the address you could send it to her in the mail with a letter. She can't hang up on a letter and maybe she will realize that you are trying to do a good thing. btw nice find and great effort!

Thats exactly what I thought.

[starwarsblazer]

I think your efforts should be commended. You went the distance trying to find the owner! And for that I tip my hat to you good sir