Service Through Research:

Returning Dog Tags to Family Members

A close-up of a metallic coin with engraved text and four small metal balls attached to its edge, placed on a wooden surface.

A plain, oval-shaped yellow object with a small metallic ball attached to a chain.

Donald I. Hall

U.S. Marine Corps

Returned to his daughter: June 2015

“Thank you for taking the time to look me up and return the dog tags. The best part was his fingerprint on the back of the tag.”

— Ilona Dalphonse

Close-up of a metal identification tag with embossed markings and a small hole in the corner, placed on a dark surface.

Robert L. Gay

U.S. Marine Corps

Returned to his daughter: February 2024

A letter with two military dog tags attached, placed on top. The letter is addressed to a LtCol Brent Reiffer at the U.S. Marine Corps Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia, dated June 2, 2015. The letter thanks for assistance in returning dog tags belonging to Mr. Gillen, with a signature at the bottom.

Robert N. Gillen

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

Returned to his son: January 2018

A handwritten letter on lined paper with a dog tag attached to a ball chain at the top. The letter is from J. E. Collison, discussing a dog tag found in a box of Brie-O-Brad, with a name, service number, and other details engraved on the tag.

Edgar C. Harris

U.S. Army

A handwritten note on lined paper addressed to Brent, describing the found dog among the author's mother's estate. The note mentions the dog's connection to a U.S. soldier in the Australian Air Force and asks if Brent can contact the family. A silver military dog tag with engraved information is attached below the note.

Returned to his son: December 2024

“Thank you so very much for your efforts and thoughtfulness in returning Dad’s dog tags.”

— Sherwood Harris

Edward E. Dalton

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

Returned to his son: February 2025