Vietnam veteran reunites with lost dog tag after 56 years: 'I didn't believe it'

A Swedish metal detectorist worked hard to connect with Morganti, who lives in South Carolina

A Vietnam War veteran was recently reunited with a precious object from his military career, nearly six decades after his service ended.

Florence, South Carolina, resident Larry Morganti was given his dog tag – a piece of identification for military personnel – last month. He lost the metal tag during a rocket attack.

According to WPDE, the veteran served in the 311th Squadron of the Air Force and worked as a crew chief on a C-123 cargo plane from October 1967 to October 1968. 

Morganti told WPDE that a Swedish construction worker found the dog tag with a metal detector. The man searched diligently to get into contact with the veteran – but it wasn't easy.

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Florence, South Carolina, resident Larry Morganti was given his lost dog tag from the Vietnam War. (WPDE)

Morganti, who is an artist, has his work displayed at a local business called The Vault. The metal detectorist reached out to the business's Facebook page in hopes of reaching Morganti.

Store manager Debra Lane told WPDE that she was cautious when she received a text from the Swedish man, fearing that he might be a scammer. After asking if she knew the Air Force vet, the metal dectorist explained that he had been looking for him for over two years.

"I thought to myself, what a wonderful moment that this guy felt the need to return these tags to their original owners, or their owner I should say, and the fact that he cared enough to do it," said Lane.

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Morganti served in the 311th Squadron of the Air Force and worked as a crew chief on a C-123 cargo plane. (WPDE)

"And the fact that Mr. Larry is still alive is fabulous to me. And I just thought that it was the best story that we as Americans can hear today," she added.

In late April, Morganti received the dog tag in the mail and a letter from the Swedish man thanking him for his service.

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The lost dog tag was found by a Swedish metal detectorist. (WPDE)

"It was real surprising. In fact, for a second, I didn’t believe it," Morganti recalled. "It’s such a far-fetched idea to find tags 56 years old and then another two years to bring them to me."

"And he searched, I’m sure, long and hard to find them."

The Vault manager Debra Lane helped coordinate the return of the dog tag. (WPDE)

Fox News Digital reached out to Morganti for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

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Andrea Vacchiano is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. You can follow her on X at @andrea_vacch or send story tips to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..