Help reunite the Bronze Star found in the dumpster with the veteran who earned it
US NEWSreading 2 minutes Published by
DES MOINES, Iowa – Norman Davis IV was on his way to an appointment when he passed a scammer selling a Bronze Star military award that was allegedly found in a dumpster in Des Moines.
Davis bought the award and was determined to find the rightful owner.
“He told me he found it in a dumpster while dumpster diving. The way I looked at it was that the monetary value the man was trying to put on it was nothing compared to who that Bronze Star belongs to,” Davis said.
The Bronze Star is the fourth highest award a U.S. military member can receive. Unfortunately, the award does not have any engravings or serial numbers to identify who it belongs to.
However, in addition to the Bronze Star Award, there were also medal service ribbons, which are awarded for special achievements in the military. These ribbons provide crucial information for narrowing down who might be entitled to the award.
Karl Lettow, the communications director for the Iowa National Guard, said the Army has no official process for returning lost medals to veterans, although it can submit a request for a replacement.
Lettow was able to identify the service tapes.
“In the box we had, the Bronze Star was the highest, and there was also an Army Commendation Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal and a National Defense Ribbon,” Lettow said.
Based on the badges, the Bronze Star likely belongs to a Vietnam War veteran.
If you think you know who owns the Bronze Star, contact griffin.wright@who13.com.
