Dog Tags Of WWII Vet Find Their Way Home To MN

Daily Republic - Mitchell, SD, USA

By WENDY REUER - Owatonna People's Press
The Associated Press - Saturday, January 24, 2009

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."

Using only what information was on the dog tag itself, Elliott began his search to find out who Sauter was. When he discovered that Sauter was from Owatonna, he contacted Laura Resler, director of the Steele County Historical Society.

"When I got that call, I just got this feeling," Resler said. "We had to find out where he belonged. It's such an amazing thing to be able to bring a part of him back after all this time."

Although Resler didn't immediately recognize the name, she sent out feelers. In the meantime, Elliott contacted the Steele County Veteran's Office, which placed an ad asking for anyone who may have been related to Sauter to step forward.

"We tried to find the family, but it was so long ago, there aren't many still around," said Veterans' Service Director Rene Gilomini. "It's one of those nice surprises. This story has a happy ending."

Resler eventually tracked down Joyce Matejcek who was identified as the only living relative of Sauter, a first cousin who remembered him.

"Somebody remembered that I was related to him," Matejcek said. "He was eight years older than I was, so as we were growing up, I'd see him at family things. His mother and my dad were my brother and sister. As far as having a lot of contact with him, there wasn't too much because of the difference of our ages."

After confirming Matejcek was a relative, Elliott returned the dog tags to her, which she then donated to the Steele County Historical Society. The tags will be displayed at the History Center.

Sauter is still considered missing in action. A tombstone bearing his name stands at an American cemetery in the South Pacific.