Press Releases

Rep. Gosar Presents WWII Vet with Lost Dog Tags

SAN TAN VALLEY, ARIZ. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) presented World War II veteran Jack D. Shippey with his lost dog tags. Mr. Shippey had donated his dog tags, among other items, to the museum at the Air Force’s Non Commissioned Officers school in 1981. But, when the museum moved locations, his dog tags were lost. After eight years of searching for the missing dog tags to no avail, the Shippey family contacted Rep. Gosar's office for help. Rep. Gosar's staff worked with the museum curator to locate and acquire Mr. Shippey's dog tags.

After presenting Mr. Shippey with his dog tags, Rep. Gosar said: "It was a privilege to give Mr. Shippey back his lost dog tags. Like so many from the Greatest Generation, he served our nation honorably during World War II and then came home to start a family and build a life, including a successful career. Mr. Shippey exemplifies the qualities that make our nation great: loyalty, bravery, integrity and valor. He is a true American hero."

Mr. Shippey's daughter, Suzanne DeVlieger, said, "Since he [Mr. Shippey] lost his wife, the only thing he has been asking for the past few years is his dog tags. Now he has them."

Mr. Shippey joined the Air Force in November of 1942 as a radio operator. He deployed in October of 1943 and accumulated 961 flight hours, 106.5 of which were certified combat hours. He then redeployed in 1944, where he flew another 760 hours, of which 33 were combat hours. His total flight hours are 1,721, with 139.5 combat hours. He left active duty in October of 1945. He is the father of two sons and three daughters.

Below are pictures:

(Rep. Gosar shakes hands with Mr. Shippey after presenting him with his dog tags, March 28, 2014)
 

(Rep. Gosar, Mr. Shippey and Rep. Gosar's Wounded Warrior Liaison Sean Johnson, March 28, 2014)

(Mr. Shippey, surrounded by family and friends, wears his dog tags, March 28, 2014)

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