Medals Found in Dumpster Reveal Her Dad Was a WWII Hero But Never Told Anyone

goodnews ^ | 3/16/2021

[mylife]

You can find the most amazing things—from valuable artifacts to kitschy treasures—when you’re dumpster diving. But sometimes, trash trawling yields an heirloom that’s truly priceless—like the personal history of a hero.

U.S. Navy veteran Donald Helfer flew in 28 missions over enemy territory during WWII and was decorated for his bravery. Along with the Navy Flying Cross and a Bronze Star, Helfer even received a stirring letter from Harry Truman in which the President expressed his gratitude for helping “bring about the total defeat of the enemy” and offering the “heartfelt thanks of a grateful Nation.”

But Helfer was never one to seek glory. After leaving the military, he went on to become a police officer in upstate New York, eventually retiring to Florida. He passed away in 1993, taking the memories of his impressive military achievements with him—almost.

While Helfer’s children were aware of their dad’s stint in the navy, they never knew the true nature of his service. They were, however, about to make an incredible discovery concerning his forgotten legacy—all thanks to a serendipitous dumpster find in Hickory, North Carolina.

When a treasure trove of Helfer’s personal items—including medals, photos, identification, and military records—turned up in the Hickory dumpster, the man who found them immediately recognized their worth. (Helfer’s effects were likely discarded by whoever sorted through his late second wife’s Hickory estate and deemed them “not worth keeping.”)

The finder turned over the cache to Navy vet and American Legion Post 544 Commander Jeff Truitt for safekeeping until Helfer’s relatives could be found. Truitt was able to locate Helfer’s grown children in Rochester, New York, and his daughter, Linda Delorey, living in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

[MayflowerMadam]

“They didn’t seek any pomp and circumstance about it.”

And they didn’t mention PTSD when you absolutely KNOW their experiences were pure hell. Just came home, went to work, lived their lives, and dealt with their emotional monsters stoically.

[bray]

I think they used to talk among each other and at the VFW but never to their families.

[Scrambler Bob]

My Dad’s WWII stuff could not be found after he was gone.

He must have ‘vanished’ it himself.

[Scrambler Bob]

Citizen Soliders, by Ambrose told me the story my Dad did not, and why.

[RedwM]

I knew an old lad that was in Europe what he did. All he ever said was he drove a tank. Every question I ever asked him, his answer was always “I drove a tank”. I stopped asking him.

[Taxman]

Those of us who have served have a different view of Military Service than those who have not. That is why I am profoundly disappointed that the US does not have a Federal Service Law.

Military Service (War, in particular) has a way of changing people in significant ways, and those who have not served in the military have no idea how profound the military experience is.

The draft was a powerful positive influencer when I was young - kept me in school and out of trouble, and I still believe that honorable service to our country should be a requirement of citizenship - a la Heinlein in Starship Troopers.

[Red Badger]

In many countries it is.

Used to be here.

That’s why the Libs killed it...............

[Taxman]

Hw far in the historical dumpster do we have to go before we recover?

[lodi90]

You would be amazed how common it is for people to throw this stuff out

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Agree. This was not an uncommon story up until maybe 20 years ago for WW2 vets. I had a buddy find all kinds of stuff in the ‘90s from dumpster diving: WW2 Tuskegee airman effects, another one was a WW2 navy and goodyear blimp pilot, etc.I heard a grapevine story about Hap Arnold’s estate showing up at a flea market, too.

I think this often happens because the widow outlives the guy. People dealing with her stuff have no idea what the other stuff is.