Photo By Kare Lohse

ATTU MEMORABILIA

“Dog Tags Found”
While stationed on Attu the following dog tags were found and I would like to get them back to the family of the person who served out there. They were found in 2008 and are still located at the LORAN station. One was found down near the mouth of the peaceful river (vanderlaan) and the other was found on the beach near massacre beach. The one that's hard to read is Gary Vanderlaan, ssgt, co M 17 inf reg, 7th inf reg. I think he was KIA in the battle. The tags are still physically located on Attu in their small museum in the LORAN station. You can contact me at: CWO Robert Coyle ESU Kodiak Supervisor 907-487-5313 Ext. 203 Robert.J.Coyle@uscg.mil 1/22/2014; UPDATE! Gary Vandelaan's dog tags were finally returned to his descendents. They made a shadow box to give to his sister on Christmas. A great closing to this story! CWO Robert Coyle Base Alameda C4IT Dept. Alameda, CA
www.hlswilliwaw.com Sidney Shapiro's Dog Tag, Found On Attu, 2008. [Robert Coyle] Sidney Shapiro's Dog Tag, Found On Attu, 2008. [Robert Coyle] Sidney Shapiro's Dog Tag, Found On Attu, 2008. [Robert Coyle] Gary Vanderlaan's U. S. Army Dog Tag, Attu, 2008. [Robert Coyle] Gary Vanderlaan's U. S. Army Dog Tag, Attu, 2008. [Robert Coyle] Gary Vanderlaan's U. S. Army Dog Tag, Attu, 2008. [Robert Coyle]
This tag appears to be a U.S. Army tag. It reads as follows: VANDERLAAN, GARY SSGT 59150906 29 MAY ?? CO M 17 INF REGT 7TH INF REGT [ This individual was listed on our Attu KIA page with a slightly different spelling (has since been corrected). If anyone can verify the actual spelling of this individual's last name, or can make out the inscription on the dog tag with any more clarity, please let me know! The first number in the S/N may be a 3? glsmith@hlswilliwaw.com]
This one appears to be a Navy tag. It reads as follows: SIDNEY NONE SHAPIRO 639 29 69 USNR A T/4 - 44 H