Search for medals, insignia on state database
Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick today encouraged Missourians to search the Unclaimed Property database for unclaimed military medals and insignia.
“As Veterans Day approaches, I want to remind Missourians of the over 200 military medals and insignia currently being held by the Unclaimed Property Division,” Fitzpatrick said. “My Office will never sell or destroy these medals–but we do want to return them. Our effort to raise awareness this month about these medals reflects our commitment to returning them to the heroes who earned them. As always, we thank America’s military veterans for their service to this great country.”
Throughout November, and onward, locations across Missouri will display banners in welcome centers and lobbies encouraging visitors to search the Unclaimed Property database. Books with pictures of the medals and details about owners will also be located in these venues. Participating locations include the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, the Missouri State Museum as well as the Museum of Missouri Military History in Jefferson City, and all seven Missouri veterans homes, including the largest in St. Louis. The Office will also participate in Veterans Day events at Soldiers’ Memorial in St. Louis.
“The Veterans Commission is pleased to partner with the Treasurer’s Office in this endeavor,” Col. Grace Link, Executive Director, Missouri Veterans Commission, said. “The veterans who earned these medals through heroic acts of bravery and service should know that they are out there. I join the Treasurer’s Office in encouraging Missourians to search the list to see if you recognize a name.”
“The National WWI Museum and Memorial is dedicated to informing the public about the courage, patriotism, sacrifice and honor of all who served in WWI,” Dr. Matthew Naylor, President and CEO, National WWI Museum and Memorial, said. “Visitors should be reminded to search the unclaimed property database for lost and missing medals so that they can be returned to those who earned them.”
“Our museum would not be possible without the contributions of Missouri’s dedicated men and women in the armed services,” Charles D. Machon, Director, Museum of Missouri Military History. “We support the Treasurer’s Office efforts to return these medals—and hope Missourians will search the list and help get them to their rightful owners.”
Each year financial institutions, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations turn over millions of dollars in cash and the contents of safe deposit boxes to the Treasurer’s Office. These entities are required to turn over Unclaimed Property to the Treasurer’s Office after there has been no contact or documented transaction with the owner for five years. The contents of safe deposit boxes often contain family heirlooms and keepsakes. Some of the most precious items recovered are military medals and insignia.
A full list of medals, names, and last known addresses of the safe deposit box owners can be found at ShowMeMoney.com/medals .