Minn. WWII Vet’s Dog Tags Find Way Home

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Minn. WWII Vet’s Dog Tags Find Way Home

By Wendy Reuer - Owatonna People’s Press
Posted : Saturday Jan 24, 2009 14:45:19 EST

OWATONNA, Minn. — More than 65 years after an Owatonna native went missing in action during World War II, his dog tags have come home, thanks to the efforts of a former Marine.

While in the Solomon Islands researching WWII, Shane Elliott of Washington state came across the dog tags of William Sauter of Owatonna, who was confirmed missing in action and later pronounced dead.

“William’s squadron was based there, and I imagine that in the course of some day’s routine, he must’ve lost his dog tags in 1943,” said Elliott.

Elliott came into possession of the dog tags through his guide in New Georgia, one of the largest islands in the western part of the Solomon Islands and the place where Sauter was stationed. Elliott’s guide had found the dog tags several years ago near the Munda airstrip.

“Sometimes in my field work, I come across dog tags in the possession of islanders,” Elliott said. “I then try to see if I can return them on their behalf to the families back in the United States.”

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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_dogtags_012409/%2e