We are currently in the process of trying to connect with the family of Matthew L Zechmeister so we can return his dog tag to them.

Matthew L Zechmeister  born August 12, 1941 in Moson, Hungary, but immigrated to the United States in 1950. He attended Caro High School and honorably served his country with distinction for twelve years in the U.S. Army completing two tours in Vietnam and earning the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). Matthew passed away in 2018.

He was united in marriage for forty-six years with the love of his life, the former Margie Maupin. Margie preceded him in death on July 29, 2015. Never wanting to be tied down, his career spanned many fields from Manpower, to owning Zechmeister Builders and Meredith Reality, then finally auto and luxury boat sales. Matthew was a former member of the Fairgrove VFW Post, the DAV, and the Saginaw American Legion Post. He enjoyed traveling, especially with his motorhome.

Zechmeister’s dog tag is part of the South Jersey Dog Tag Collection we have in our possession. Updates to follow.

SOUTH JERSEY DOG TAG COLLECTION – This collection of dog tags (450) journey home began in 1993 from DaNang and China Beach area in Vietnam where they were being sold in shops. Gloucester County Time Reporter Jim Six asked the then Deptford Police Chief Ray Milligan to purchase as many as he could and bring them home, as Milligan traveled back and forth to Vietnam for Operation Smile. Over the years several people/organizations worked with Jim Six on returning some of the dog tags. In 2010, he gave the rest to us to try and locate and return the rest of them. With much effort and research, we have located many, completed returns and have more returns underway throughout the United States.