Dog Tags Found On Beach In San Diego

I Searched For 8 Years And Found Him !!

In the Summer of 1995, while taking my dog “Chruble” for a walk along the Southernmost shore in Calif., I noticed a rusty piece of metal sticking out of the side of a palm sized rock. It was a Military I.D. tag, A-K-A “dog tag”. It was embedded in sediment after being on the ocean floor for 30 years ! It seemed to be
attached to a keyring, as there were a few other items embedded in the rock also, a key, fingernail clippers and a small screwdriver. Much to my amazement, I could make out his name, I.D. #, branch of service and his religion.
My first thought was that this Sailor had perished at sea and I held his last farewell to this world in my hand.
All I could think of was how much I wanted to return this brave Sailor’s Dog Tags to his family and I wasn’t sure how to go about doing that. So for the next 3 years, they sat on a shelf with other treasures that I had found on our many walks along the beach. I thought about getting in touch with the Navy, but I didn’t want to become a “number in a file”. Then, I discovered the “Internet”. The only problem was, I was spelling his last name WRONG ! Thankfully, a friend pointed that out to me. So off and on for the next 5 years, I searched the internet for ANY information on a “John Huebner” that I could find. I don’t remember which site I was on at the time, but I clicked on a link that took me to a Website called “Operation Just Cause”. I emailed the website with the information that I had, along with 2 pictures of”the rock”. While on the same website, I clicked on another link called “The Circle of Life”. That is where I read Diane Moore’s story about her father, who is STILL listed as MIA since 1965. I signed her guestbook and also asked her for any help that she could give in helping me find John Huebner’s family.

The following pages are the actual emails that I sent and received from this wonderful group of folks, devoted to their Cause from the core of thier being. Thank you all at OJC.

Searching with the help of “Operation Just Cause”

My First Letter to OJC Aug. 2, 2003

My name is Tanna Toney. I found some dog tags on the southern shore of Imperial Beach, Ca. (San Diego area) about 6 or 7 years ago. This is the info on the dog tags

Name - John Huebner Military - USN Military ID# - 3916381 Religion - Catholic The tags were embeded in sediment. I am attaching two pictures I took of them. Please let me know if I can find this man's family or him. Thank You, Tanna Toney pantannas50@yahoo.com

Please Visit our Website at http://www.sdharleyriders.com

pantannas50@yahoo.com

1st Letter from Diane

You bet I will help, I am going to send this to my husband so he can forward to the right people. you can also contact central identification lab in hawaii, the web site I believe is CIHLI on the search engine.

Diane

Name: PanTanna Homepage: http://www.sdharleyriders.com E-Mail: pantannas50@yahoo.com

Referred By: Just Surfed In City/Country: Chula Vista, Ca.

Comments: Diane, I am having a hard time seeing the keyboard at this point, my tears are flowing freely. Maybe you can help me. I found a dog tag on the beach about 5 or 6 years ago, embedded in sediment from being on the ocean floor for so long. I can make out his name, religion,military #, and that he was in the navy. I want to return this man's dog tags back to his family. I KNOW they would want the last thing that he held so proudly. I don't want to go through the "red tape" for fear of just becoming a number. I want to be part of the "circle of life". Can you lead me in the right direction to contact his family? I've tried several options,but so far no luck. You have the heart and resourses to help me accomplish my mission. I would appreciate ANY help !!! From anyone !! My email address is pantannas50@cox.net His name is John Huebner.

-Original Message ----- From: "Timothy Guy" To: Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2003 08:55 AM Subject: Re: Found Dog Tag

Found this web page with that name on it http://www.geocities.com/rick94501/uss_pledge_crew_list.html

pantannas50@yahoo.com

Pan,

good news, John is not was not Missing from the Vietnam War. The only thing I can find is that there was a John Huebner that was in the Navy as late as 1997.

If you could give me the rest of the information it would help to date the dog tag.

Thanks for caring so much.

Chris Rich Proud Son of Capt. Richard Rich USN 1944-1967 MIA 1967-2000 Remains Found 3/13/00 Remains Identified 10/07/00 Buried at Arlington National Cemetery 11/7/00 www.ojc.org

----- Original Message ---------- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Blades" To: Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2003 01:06 PM Subject: Re: Fw:

> Found a John Huebner listed on the following reunion page (clicking on name > reveals email addy). ENC 1965 - 1966 USS Pledge > (MSO-492). The ID number in your original message appears to be an assigned > military ID#, not SSAN, which is what is used today...so this might be the > right timeframe. > > http://www.minesweep.org/msoemail.html > > Once page loads, search page for last name. > > Mike Blades > ~~~~~ > Operation Higgins > http://operationhiggins.org/index.html > ~~~~~ >>

> -----Original Message-----> From: Operation Just Cause [mailto:OJC@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU]On Behalf > Of bluebird > Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2003 12:46 PM > To: OJC@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU > Subject: [OJC] Fw: > > > I'm having NO luck at all finding this John Huebner....... anyone????? > > This was sent to the list by a non-member

1st email from John Huebner

----- Original Message ----

From: John Huebner

To: pantannas50@yahoo.com

Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 5:52 AM

Subject: dog tags.

yep that's me. I would sure like to know how you found them, where etc., the last time I was in Southern Calif, was in 1969, thank you for taking the time to find me. please keep in touch, I suspect by the sdharleyrider.com website your a Harley Rider???? I live in Milwaukee, Wi., HOME OF HARLEY hope to hear from you John

My email to EVERYONE in my address book after finding him

The most AMAZING thing has happened !! About 6 or 7 years ago, I found some Military dog tags on the beach at Imperial Beach, Ca. I have been searching for this man's family, so I could return his dog tags to them. Through COUNTLESS websites, and WAY TOO MUCH TIME ON THE COMPUTER, I found the Man himself !!! He lives in Milwaukee, WI. The last time he was in southern Calif. was in 1969. 34 years ago !!! I just received an email from him this morning. Attached is a picture of what I found. What a TRIP !!! Miles and Miles of Smiles PanTanna

1st email from me after I found him Aug 4, 2003

John,

I can't believe I FINALLY found you !!! And best of all, YOU ARE ALIVE !!! All I could think of when I found those dog tags was that the man they belonged to, had perished at sea, considering the condition that I found them in. I have attached a few pictures of them with this email. I found them on the beach in "Imperial Beach" Calif. about 6 or 7 years ago while taking my dog for a walk and searching for sea shells. This beach is right along the Calif - Mexican border. Yes, I am a Harley rider. I ride a 1950 Panhead. I have had this bike for 20 years. I learned how to ride on this very same bike, 22 years ago !! The 100th Anniv. for Harley Davidson is going on this month. I wish I could make it to that. Me and my boyfriend both ride a Harley. He has a 2001 Fat-boy. If you would like to have your dog tags back, I will send them to you. I am so excited !! How cool is this ???? You said that the last time you were in Calif. was in 1969. That would be 34 years ago !!! WOW !!! Please stay in touch with me. I can't help but feel some kind of a bond with you. Miles and Miles of Smiles,

PanTanna

Diane, This is Tanna Toney, the girl that found the dog tags on the beach. Well, guess what ?????? I found John Huebner !!! Alive and well in Millwakee, WI. !!! I just received an email from him this morning. I can't thank you enough !! This is so amazing !! Can you imagine? The last time he was in southern Ca. was in 1969, that would be 34 years ago !!

If you would like, I will keep you updated, I plan on sending his dog tags back to him. Again, THANK YOU !!! Tanna Toney pantannas50@yahoo.com

yes PanTanna , I know how it feels to find someone that you need to find. I would love for you to keep be updated on the dog tag story and their owner. it is a wonderful story, and strange how after you visited daddy's website, with in a few days you had found the rightful owner. Diane

PanTanna

I know how you feel. I found the man that escaped that was taken prisoner along with Diane Moores dad. He gave her away at her wedding. Tim

> Rick, > I found him !! I received this email this morning. I am so excited !! > I've emailed him back and am waiting for a response. If you like,

> will keep you updated. > > Thank you so much, > Tanna Toney > pantannas50@yahoo.com

That's just great.... I had emailed John telling him about you finding the tags and he replied to me yesterday saying that they in fact are his... I was just about to send you his email address when I received this email from you... It is such a great thing for you to keep the tags and then take the time to locate the owner. I sure would like to be kept in the loop to see just how this ends up. Your MSO Brother, Rick

Rick Christie, Sr. (EM3/c) SAMFORCE (Advisory Board Member) Save an MSO Foundation http://www.nmsoa.org/samforce

Tim,

This is the website where I found John's name. So...........YES !!!!!!!! You played a very big part in this. How does it feel to be on top of the world? That's how I'm feeling, "top of the world" !!! I have been in touch with Rick Christie, he is the web master for the website that listed John's name. Diane Moore also played a big part in this.

I am so excited !! How cool, 34 years have since past that John was in San Diego. I will keep you posted. I have gotten only one email from John, but I'm sure he will be back in touch. Thank you soooooooo much for your part in this. I will forward you the letter that I received from John this morning. Miles and Miles of Smiles, Tanna Toney

http://www.geocities.com/rick94501/uss_pledge_crew_list.html

----- Original Message -----
From: norad65@comcast.net

To: PanTanna

Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2003 8:30 AM

Subject: Re: Dog Tags in San Diego

I am so glad the man and the young lady who found his dog tags found each
other. I know how important it would be for me to have someone give me my dads.
Sure i will stay in touch. shoot you should turn this into a human interest
story for the news. and who knows where it will go from there.
perhaps it might help me with my dads case.
Diane

About John Huebner

this is me in Montana, Hopefully when we meet I'll be about 50 to 100 lbs lighter. We had a good time in Montana, got to see some of the people I went to school with. went to Mt. Rushmore, Custers battle field and just chill out. See you John, PPSS you should see the Bikers ariving in Milwaukee, We went through Sturgess just as the rally was breaking up.

Aug 5, 2003

Hi Tanna, to fill you in about me, I drive coach for CoachUSA, and am on the road alot so if you don't hear from me for awhile, I,m Probobly out on the road. I am almost 60 years old, joined the Navy in 1961, Did boot camp in SanDiago, got out in '64, reenlisted 80 days later and made it a carreer (because I couldn't make as an English major as you can see by my spelling) Was stationed back at SanDiago in 65 for school. and I think that is were I lost my dogtags in the ocean. I've been all over the world, retired from the Navy in '87 moved to Wisconsin, tried a few things, and now drive Coach. myaddress is ********., Milwaukee, Wi. 53216. I am at a total loss for words, Of course if you send the tags to me I will pay shipping, I would very much like to keep in touch, find out about you, to think that you pursued this for six years just blows me away. I am leaving on the 10th of August for a 10 day trip to the Rockies, when is a good time of day to call you. again I'm am just floored by all this and re-

Aug 6, 2003

I got your Picture, nice bike, I see you have a "no riders" as to putting a "face to the Name" well I got a nice side view, you look like an extremly interesting person to know. Yes Anna is my wife's Nick name, Her and I are going to Montana, I was raised there, born in Milwaukee and raised out west. My phone # is area code **********, It would really be nice to meet you and do hold on to the tags untill that can happen, it's something exciting to look forward to. As soon as I get some photos I'll sent one on. I usually take pictures not get in them. If you have any others of you please send them. again I like the bike, the leathers, the country side, and everything else I saw, talk to you later. John

Aug 8, 2003

I just got back from a charter, we must think alike, I leave early AM Saturday on another charter but I will have a time without the group from about noon my time untill around 1:30. I also have a cell with free weekends and free long distance. so with the time differance it should be around 10 AM till noon when I can give you a call. I am eagerly waiting to talk to you. you sound and look like a very neat person to know. One thing you did get wrong, I was born in Milwaukee and raised in Montana. you said the dog tags have some keys, a fingernail file and are on a chain. I can only think of one time when I was out on a small boat off the coast of Oxnard when we were testing the stinger missiles , firing at remote aircraft. I thought I might have lost them when swimming in SanDiego, It's been so long now and sooooo much has happened. talk to you tomarrow. John

A BIG Thank You to Rick Christie Sr. for supplying these photos !!

USS Pledge

John aboard the USS Pledge

yep that's me. I had forgotten that I'd sent almost all the pictures on one of the Pledges Wed sites, It's about a year before I lost my Keys/dog tags. I even had
hair back then, and was about 185. that's a British Submariners hat I'm wearing, We traded hats in Hong Kong. Friends always, John --- PanTanna wrote: > Hey John, > Is this you ? It's from the USS Pledge. > The caption under the photo is "John" > > John Huebner

Pictures from the USS Pledge Thanks to Rick Christie Sr.

Some of the Crew




Hi John & Anna, The pictures I'm sending are of me and my boyfriend,Don and one of my dog "Chruble"That's how I spell his name, cuz he ain't no "Trouble" at all !!! He turned 10 years old in May. I have had him since the day he was born, I had his mother first and watched him being born. Chruble is VERY special to me. Lets see..............I'm 44, my birthday is Jan.31, 1959. Don is 50 years old, he dosn't look it though !! I was born in Brewster, Washington, and my family moved to Phoenix when I was 4 months old. I lived in Phoenix for 30 years, (Why?.....I don't know) !!! Came to San Diego in 1991 to visit a friend and went home to Phoenix and packed EVERYTHING that I owned and moved HERE !!! I LOVE it here. How did you loose your dog tags anyway? They seem to be on a keychain. There is what looks to be like fingernail clippers, a few keys and maybe a small screwdriver or something. Did you loose them while you were on a ship? Everyone is asking me how you lost them. I think this would be such a great story for the newspaper or news media. What do you think? It might be a way for all of us to be able to meet with each other. Got any ideas ? If you want to keep it out of the public eye, I will understand. But I still think it would be a cool story to share with everyone !!! Miles and Miles of Smiles, PanTanna Wolff & PanTanna,Chruble