Lost WWII Dog Tag Reunites Family After 80 Years

Quick Smiles:

• A World War II soldier’s dog tag finds its way back to his family after 80 years.
• An unexpected connection through a Facebook group leads to a poignant reunion.
• Emotional memories are shared as history is brought back to life.

The journey of a World War II soldier’s dog tag, lost for decades, has finally come full circle as it returns to the hands of his family. Joseph L. Gray, a brave serviceman from Philadelphia, was one of 31 soldiers who perished in a tragic plane crash on the Isle of Man in April 1945.

In 2010, his dog tag was discovered by a metal detector enthusiast and entrusted to the Manx Aviation and Military Museum. It remained there until a serendipitous moment brought it back to its rightful place.

The great nephew of another soldier who died in the same crash, Donald Madar, stumbled upon the tag while visiting the museum. Recognizing a connection through a Facebook group he managed, he realized he could reunite the tag with Gray’s family.

Donald described the moment he handed the tag to Bridgette Daily, Gray’s great niece, saying, “I could see the emotion rush into her. Her eyes began to tear up. I could tell it was so important for her family that they took possession of a piece of their history.”

For years, Donald had been piecing together the story of the crash that claimed his ancestor’s life. His dedication led him to the Isle of Man for the 80th anniversary of the crash, where he received the dog tag from historian Ivor Ramsden.

This touching reunion was made possible by Clare Quinn, another great niece of Gray’s, who had reached out to Donald during the pandemic. Her post about Joseph in the Facebook group sparked a memory that led to the return of the tag.

Donald recounted, “She had asked about Joseph and told us all about him in a post she uploaded.”

The final handover took place in a restaurant, where Donald met Bridgette and her husband. They shared stories about Joseph, bringing his legacy to life once more.

Through this remarkable journey, a piece of history was not only preserved but cherished by those who continue to honor the memory of those who served.

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