🏆 HONORABLE MENTION ww1 dog tag

[Jmann69]

Found this dog tag today at an old military training camp from 1917. Looking for info on this soldier. Might be able to get it back to his family. May be a great, great grandfather of someone still alive. Any ideas on how to search for info? I believe I have located his grave site at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver. That's about it.

 

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[pat-tekker-cat]

Wow jmann69, that's quite a find! Congrat's and welcome.
Sometimes, I don't think, ppl stop and think, there was a live person, and human being, that this belonged to. He wore it proudly, I am sure, held it, probably clutched it and prayed many times. I would think, it had special meaning to him, and/or to his family that also made sacrifices and endured hardships, so that man could proudly wear that. Sometimes, I think, ppl don't think.
Bless you, for thinking.

Their is a Military registry, and other means to locate military personel(from back to WWI, I dunno). I haven't had to skiptrace folks in yrs, so my rolodex is LONG packed away.
Check online for Military registry. Check with your local VA, VFW, American Legion, those men will have info.
Ask down in the "Barracks" thread, those men too, may have the info you are looking for. The info may even be in a sticky thread somewhere one the board. Surely someone will come and offer some more help here. Also, that cemetery, if it is still tended, should have records.
Good luck and please do keep us posted, if you find a descendant! HH!

 

[oldnlazy]

Great find. Do your best to get it returned to the family.

 

[Jmann69]

Thanks Pat. My grandfather was a POW and I know how it feels when ever I discover new information or receive a new item that was once his. I'll try everything I can to get this tag back in the hands of the family. If all else fails, there's always the media. I'll keep you all updated.

 

[OCPickle]

I don't think this is a WWI era tag. Those tended to be round. Link

 

[River Rat]

I don't think this is a WWI era tag. Those tended to be round. Link

I agree with OCPickle. Looking from what I can see, it looks to be WWII due to the engravings.

 

[Jmann69]

I checked out the link and it seams to that it is ww2. The area that it was found use to be a military training camp for the soldiers going to war. The camp was opened in 1917 and closed in 1919. This camp is now a city park and this tag was found in the wooded area. Ads more mystery to it.

 

[River Rat]

Searching Find A Grave, I saw the name in Fort Logan National Cemetery, but it also indicated this Alfred J. Martinez Sr in New Mexico Sgt Alfred J Martinez, Sr (1924 - 2008) - Find A Grave Memorial

 

[Jmann69]

I learned that the other name on the tag is his next of kin and the address which is Denver. I found what i beleive is his grave at Fort Logan cemetery in Colorado. Still not sure how it got where I found it.

 

[Jmann69]

Ok, I found out that Alfred J. Martinez enlisted 10-22-1940. He was born 1909 and passed 1998. His next of kin ( Joe C. Martinez) listed on his tag was killed in action. I have a few emails out looking for his relatives. Still am baffled as to how this tag was found in an area that closed down 21 years before he enlisted. Hope to get the scoop from his family if I every find them. Ill let you know what I find out

 

[Mackaydon]

Since his next of kin was KIA, I'd suggest you locate the obit for Alfred; that would normally list existing family members--as of 1998. Also, if you contact the cemetery admin. office, you may also get next of kin information.
Don.

 

[lookindown]

Ok, I found out that Alfred J. Martinez enlisted 10-22-1940. He was born 1909 and passed 1998. His next of kin ( Joe C. Martinez) listed on his tag was killed in action. I have a few emails out looking for his relatives. Still am baffled as to how this tag was found in an area that closed down 21 years before he enlisted. Hope to get the scoop from his family if I every find them. Ill let you know what I find out

He may have just been in the park and lost it and has nothing to do with the training camp.

 

[cudamark]

Thanks Pat. My grandfather was a POW and I know how it feels when ever I discover new information or receive a new item that was once his. I'll try everything I can to get this tag back in the hands of the family. If all else fails, there's always the media. I'll keep you all updated.

Thank you for making the effort. Sometimes you have no idea how much that means to someone.

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

Great Find!!...And the posters are correct, the WWI era dog tags were round, In fact my hunting buddy found one this year and has been trying to track down family, but came to a halt when he found out the guy never married and died in 1978

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/326549-world-war-1-dog-tag.html

 

[OCPickle]

He may have nephews and nieces

 

[Alan Applegate]

Good luck on getting help from any armed service.

About 4 years ago, I found a dog tag which dated back to the Korean war. I thought the same as you, let's get it back to the family. I found about 5 hits on Google, but none panned out. I sent numerous emails, and 2 letters, and nada! I finally gave up, and gave it to the local historical museum.

 

[Jmann69]

I've placed phone calls and sent emails. No response as of today. I have the local televisions web site pulled up now. Thinking of emailing them. You know the media looks for the heart warming stories or racial OMG stories that turn out to be a bunch of hyped up BS. I hate the frigging media now days, but it may be my only option.

 

[Mackaydon]

If you have located his grave site at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, have you followed up with administrator of that facility in an attempt to find next of kin information? If not, their ph. is 303-701-0117 and the website is:http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp
Don...

 

[Jmann69]

I called and left a message. I'll check back with them tomorrow. Oh and the number is 303-761-0117 for anyone else needing it. Thanks Don!

 

[Metal Detecting Stuff]

That's a great effort , hope you find the next of kin. Since its WWII, wonder if he ever lived in the park area? I'm guessing by the dates of the camp that it was found in Camp Logan.

Please keep us posted.

Wayne

www.metaldetectingstuff.com