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Dog tag of WWII veteran found, delivered to family in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The dog tag of a local D-Day veteran is now with his family 70 years after the Battle of Normandy.

The dog tag of Staff Sgt. James Wallace was found near the shores of the battle site and after a long journey is home in Indianapolis.

Wallace survived the Battle of Normandy and eventually returned to Indianapolis where he died in 1997. But his dog tag stayed in Normandy until last summer, when a man from France found the tag and with the help of a World War II researcher, located the Wallace family.

He mailed the tag and a bag of sand from Normandy to United States Marine Corps veteran Corey Goodwin.

Goodwin said it was an honor to deliver the items to the Wallace family.

“I really can’t describe it. I’m just so happy to be a part of this,” Goodwin said. “It makes me feel good to be able to give back. I love my country very much and this is a way for me to give back to my country.”

“I think it’s a miracle,” said widow Catherine Wallace .

Goodwin delivered the items to the American Village Senior Community. Organizers invited other military veterans and the Wallace daughters.

Tanya Wallace-White, James Wallace’s daughter, said she plans on showing the tag to younger members of the family.

“The children need a role model and we have one right here in our own family,” Wallace-White said.

After the war, Staff Sgt. James Wallace served his community as an Indianapolis firefighter. Indianapolis Fire Department officials were also at the event to pay their respects.