Military Dog Tag Found on Banks of Missouri River – Max Pendergrass

William Sapp, a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War, discovered over a dozen military dog tags near the old Kansas City dump site along the Missouri River. As an avid explorer, Sapp had collected many treasures throughout the years, but none as priceless as these forgotten mementos of the past. In early 2023, Bill Sapp, his friend and comrade David Owen and Sue Quinn-Morris of Patriot Connections Dog Tag Project embarked on the journey to get all the military dog tags home to the veterans and/or their families

Each military dog tag holds within it a unique story of service and sacrifice. Max Pendergrass, born on May 11, 1934, bravely served our country during the Korean War, from January 5, 1952, to May 1955.

In March 1953, Max Pendergrass, seaman, USN, son of Mr and Mrs O D Pendergrass, was advanced to radarman seaman, USN, aboard the ammunition ship USS Mount Baker on duty with the Seventh Fleet in Koran waters. He entered the service in January 1952 and was a graduate of Mountain Home High School.

After serving our great nation, Max later settled in Oregon and passed away at the age of 62 on September 7, 1996, in Oregon. Max's final resting place is in the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, Plot Section 2 Site 572, with the inscription marking his service in the US Navy during the Korean War.

Although Max was never married and had no children, he is survived by a sister Louis Riley and many friends and extended family.

DOG TAG RETURN: Quinn-Morris was able to locate his sister after finding a Family Reunion contact that put her in touch with Louise. Louise was ecstatic about getting her brothers dog tag. She expressed how close she had been with her brother, mentioning that she was able to take care of him the last 2 weeks of his life.

Riley's contact information was passed along to Dave Owne, who sent her Max's dog tag.

For details about this Dog Tag Collection, click here

Brother Warren

Sister Louis