🏆 HONORABLE MENTION Long-Lost Military Footlocker Found and Returned 51 Years Later - Legendary Pilot

parsonwalker

Bronze Member
Feb 16, 2013
1,491
2,856
Virginia
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2
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
1
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Modified GI Mine Detector (In the 60s)
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Relic Hunting
Watch the CBS News coverage of the footlocker and the return to the family here:

[video]http://wtvr.com/2017/03/24/don-parthree-story/[/video]

A dumpster on the Northern Neck of Virginia was about to crush when my friend, a veteran (Army Rangers) noticed an American Flag peeking out from under the lid of an old WWII footlocker. He stopped the crusher and jumped in to rescue the flag. He called me and told me he was about to dispose of the locker and contents unless I wanted to come and get it. Um . . . YEAH.

Three hours later, a picture of a legendary American Pilot began to emerge. Colonel Clyde Parthree trained fighter pilots in WWII, and went on to become the first pilot to ever log 17,000 flying hours without an accident. (It was eventually 20,000 hours without ever so much as scratching landing gear) He flew Kings, Queens, Prime Ministers and U.S. presidents. The locker was full of clippings about the legend they called "The Old Gray Fox." Personal items, as well as his dress Uniform cap, flight instruments, and an autographed picture from the KING OF BELGIUM, thanking Parthree for his personal care during a state visit, packed the old locker. I was stunned to learn that THIS pilot, was the test pilot who first flew the famous "Wingless Wonder." nearly 70 years ago.

I showed the locker to a friend who is a much better researcher than I am. He found the family, including the Colonel's only surviving son, living an hour away in Maryland in a nursing home. We reunited the footlocker with this son, in my barn, and CBS News was there to cover the event. I figure, this is a LESS than once-in-lifetime opportunity. Enjoy the video . . .
 

Davers

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Jan 8, 2013
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Way To Go , PW.
The Lord put You in the right place so the Man's Relics/Belongings were not destroyed.
GOOD MAN!

Ill watch the Video Now.
Hope you been well.
Davers
 

Fullstock

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Oct 14, 2012
1,141
3,265
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You're a good man, that's an amazing story.
 

Geobound

Hero Member
Feb 21, 2017
614
867
Ontario
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I see people with tags at the bottom of their avatars that say things like honorable mentions, being new I don't quite know how to go about nominating somebody, but this should definitely be nominated.

What a fantastic story, and a great way to reunite a father with his son.

I'm glad I clicked on the link, as I normally don't do that.
 

Davers

Gold Member
Jan 8, 2013
8,126
7,145
N.of , I-285...GA
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Whites Spc xlt & Tesoro Tejon- Now back ...Fisher 1266-X. TRX Pointer. New .Teknetics G2 + . New AT Pro .
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So much more than an Honorable Mention

Man PW....
Watching that 'Well Done' News Story ; about made me Cry.

That guy was so truly grateful for what y'all did......The lord put you 3 guy's in the right place.

It really makes me wonder how something like that could just get "Tossed".

If the Sister Had it until She passed , ??? I don't know it just seem's like someone would take the Old Box for what it was.?

Great thing yr buddy did at the last minute. :icon_thumleft:

That Story just made me feel good.
& I got to meet you sorta.

Last year ..A Tornado , This Year the Gift of a Long Lost Box.
Again Good Man/ Men.

My hats off to y'all & The American Hero.:occasion14:
 

GaRebel1861

Gold Member
Jun 16, 2011
5,746
6,735
South Carolina
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3
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Wow! What a wonderful thing that ya'll did. If this doesn't deserve an Honorable Mention then I don't know what would. My vote is going in.
 

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Johncoho

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Feb 14, 2014
2,854
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Martinsburg, Pa. in the summer and Apache Junction
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That sure is an awesome video and kudos to you all who made this gentlemans dream come true. To be able to return that foot locker to the son is just something amazing.
 

dirtdigginfool

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Mar 8, 2014
3,580
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south central ohio
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Wow...words escape me..and I'm NEVER at a loss for words...3 great guys just doing the next right thing...thx, Ddf. O btw...im voting banner...that is a once in a lifetime find..
 

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A2coins

Gold Member
Dec 20, 2015
33,807
42,606
Ann Arbor
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Great man you are is there such thing as honorable banner LOL Got my vote!!!!!@@!
 

DonDigger

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Jan 11, 2013
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What a wonderful story and return. I have two memorial flags and know how much they mean. Honorable Mention all the way!
 

relic nut

Silver Member
Nov 29, 2014
4,000
7,275
VA
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That's what it all about right there! That is outstanding! What a great thing you guys did. Honorable mention, no doubt.

HH, RN
 

BagLady

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Mar 13, 2015
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619
Mississippi
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cheap
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Wow. Just Wow. Great story. Good job.
At least an honorable mention if not a Banner.
 

AlienLifeForm

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Jan 31, 2010
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DFW Texas
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No words, thank you for doing what you did for this man. I can't believe someone would just toss out something like that. Wow.
 

KirkS

Sr. Member
Jan 10, 2017
282
375
St Pete FL
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That is wonderful. You reunited a family.

Kind of makes you wonder how many other servicemen's foot lockers got tossed... and weren't saved.
 

Tnmountains

Super Moderator
Staff member
Jan 27, 2009
18,696
11,647
South East Tennessee on Ga, Ala line
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This is one of the best find and returns I have ever seen.
That touches home.
Thank you!
 

Cal_Cobra

Bronze Member
Oct 3, 2008
1,099
1,710
Northern California
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3
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Minelab EQ800 & Makro Multi Kruzer, the rest are collecting dust...
Good on you, that's an amazing story and amazing return.

That should be honorable mention worthy if there every was one, thanks for reuniting those priceless family history pieces with their rightful owner :hello2:
 

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