Military Dog Tags Found on Banks of Missouri River
Sue Quinn-Morris of Patriot Connections Dog Tag Project was contacted by David Owen (Sgt USMC- 1969/72)of Clinton, Missouri. A Vietnam Marine veteran, he was looking to help his friend, Bill Sapp, also a Vietnam veteran, to return over a dozen military dog tags he had found. Mr Sapp is dealing with some health issues and wanted to be sure these dog tags made their way home to the veterans/families.
Mr Sapp, for much of his adult life has been an explorer - many expeditions taking him along the Missouri River, near his home. Through the years he has collected many treasures, but none as priceless as over a dozen military dog tags, which he found near the old Kansas City dump site along the River. Ironically enough, that area has since turned in to a 900 acre park, and one of the men in charge of the park is the son of one of the dog tags found.
In December of 2023, David Owen presented a Commendation Plague to Bill Sapp on behalf of himself and Sue Quinn-Morris/ Patriot Connections Dog Tag Project for his commitment and dedication to getting the military dog tags of his comrades back home.
Although David Owen and Sue Quinn-Morris still have a few left to wrap up, they should be completed soon.
"Thank you Mr Sapp and Mr Owen - it has been a true honor to aid in your quest and I thank you both for your service to our country," said Sue Quinn-Morris of Patriot Connections.
See below for the names and stories of the military dog tags returned and their journey home....
Max Pendergrass- Max Pendergrass was born May 11, 1934. He served our country during the Korean War - Jan 5, 1952 to May 1955. He passed away at the age of 62 on September 7, 1996 in Oregon. He is buried in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. His dog tag was returned to his sister, Louise....full story, click here
Glenn E Carriker - Glenn E Carriker was born in 1923 and passed away November 2, 1981, at the age of 58. He was an Army veteran of WWII. By trade he was a contractor and belonged to the McMurry United Methodist Church, and a member of the Wally Byarn Caravan Club, the International Cessna Assoc and the Air Craft Owners & Pilots Association. He is buried at Terrace Park Cemetery in Kansas City, MO. His dog tag was sent to his son Burton Carriker....full story, click here.
ALFRED RUSSELL MALONE - Alfred was born on 17 Jun 1920. At the young age of 48, he passed away in Independence, MO on AUgust 17, 1968. He was a Navy veteran of WWII. He was an employee of R L Sweet Lumber company and was a member of the Reorganized Latter Day Saint West College church. Alfred Russell and his wife Evon Malone are both buried at Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, MO. Dog tag returned to his children in Missouri by David Owen....full story, click here
Bobby Pittsenbarger - Bobby was born June 15, 1927, in Ravenwood, Mo.. After high school, he served his country proudly during WWII in the US Navy. He married Doris J. Daniels in 1948 and eventually they made their home in the Kansas City area. He was employed by Safeway/Foodbarn where he was a store stocking supervisor and retired from there in 1989 after 33 years of continued service. Bobby, at the age of 81, passed away June 16, 2008, at North Kansas City Hospital. He was buried, with full military honors at Kirk Cemetery, Allendale, MO....full story, click here
Martin Poslick. - Martin (Marty) Albert Poslick was born in Kansas City, Missouri on December 22, 1930. After graduating from East High School, he enlisted in the Navy. He was honorably discharged with a rank of Engineman 2nd class in 1952. He then enlisted in the Air Force, becoming a pilot, and retired as a Major after 20 years of combined military service. While in the Air Force, he flew over 8,000 flight hours and served in both the Korean War and Vietnam War. He logged over one hundred combat missions and earned numerous medals, including the Bronze Star Medal. After retirement, the family moved five times in two years in pursuit of new flying opportunities. It was the position of the chief pilot for Ward International (who chartered aircraft to exclusive clients and celebrities) that brought them to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As a chief pilot, he had the pleasure of working with The Allman Brothers Band, Aerosmith, and Elvis Presley. Martin Poslick died at the age of 91 in Colleyville, TX on Thursday, March 24, 2022. RIP hero...full story, click here
CLAUDE ARCH LINK—Claude A Link was born in Independence, MO on December 14, 1925. He was a WWII Navy veteran having served in the South Pacific. He married Cora Belle Link and had 4 children. He was a lab chemist with Amoco Oil Company for 41 years, retiring in 1982. He died on September 16, 1999, in his hometown at the age of 73, and was buried at Salem Cemetery in Independence, MO. Dave Owen returned the dog tag, in person, to Claude Link's son....full story, click here
GERALD W COURIER - Gerald was born May 28, 1936 in Kansas City, MO. He was a Maintenance Supervisor for the Kansas City Water Department for 25 years, retiring in 1990. He served in the US Army and was a memer of the East Gate Masonic Lodge. He passed away on July 12, 1997 in Kansas City, MO. His dog tag was hand delivered to his son Wes in Kansas City by David Owen...full story, click here
Willard William Moore- Willard was born on June 18, 1920, in Paris, Texas, to Walter and Janie Moore. He died on July 5, 1996, at the age of 76. He served our country proudly buring WWI - 1943 -1945. His dog tag was sent to his daughter in California...full story, click here
Clarence M Kolka - Clarence was born April 26, 1916, he was a SSGT USAAF in WWII, earning 4 Bronze Stars among other medals. He passed away in California in 2003. His wife, Betty Ray, passed away in 2006. His dog tag was sent to his grandson by Dave Owens...full story, click here
Elmer Short - Elmer C Short, at the age of 70, passed away at the Veterans Hospital on April 26, 1978 in Kansas City Missouri. He was born in Salem, Arkansas and had lived in Missouri for 28 years. He was a Navy Veteran in WWI and then became a construction laborer more than 30 years before he retired in 1969. He is buried in Mount Washington Cemetery. David Owen mailed Elmer's dog tag to his daughter, Vera Bullard....see more
Eddie Schmitz - Eddie Schmitz of Raytown. Mo passed away peacefully at home on November 12, 2016 at the age of 91. Ed was married to Velma Jean Schmitz of Independence, Mo on June 10, 1949. They were together more than 67 years. Ed was a veteran of WW II, serving in the US navy for 4 years. He had a brief career in law enforcement in Long Beach, California, before returning home to the Kansas City area and opened Schmitz Construction. He had a very successful business for more than 40 years..... see more
George McCullagh - George was born in Galena, Kansas on November 3, 1901. He was a Navy veteran of WWI. After his service, he had worked as an agency manager for the Travelers Insurance and a manager for Barnard;s Phonograph Records. He was a board member of Kansas City Philharmonic and the Lyric Opera, and was the founding president of the Lyric Opera Guild. He passed away in 1979. David took his dog tag to the Lyric Opera Guild who will be returning to a family member....see more
Charles McMillan -
George Richardson -George Edward Richardson was a lifelong resident of Kansas City and worked at General Motors Corp Leeds assembly plant as a maintenance worker for 31 years before he retired in 1978. He was a Navy veteran of WWII and the Korean War. He passed away in 1986 and is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, MO. He has no living relatives. David Owen will be adhering Mr Richardson's dog tag to his headstone in the near future... see more