State Treasurer of Iowa

Great Iowa Treasure Hunt Honors Military Heroes

November 1, 2022

Des Moines, Iowa – The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is recognizing Veteran’s Day by spreading the word about lost and forgotten war memorabilia turned over as unclaimed property. Safe deposit boxes are often used to keep important documents and items secure, including ones that are military-related. If the boxes go three years with no activity, the contents are turned over to the State Treasurer’s Office. Some items found while inventorying the contents are Purple Hearts, other medals and honorable discharge papers.

Reuniting Iowans and veterans with their lost treasures has always been the mission for the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. Utilizing Veteran’s Day to emphasize the program’s efforts to reunite these items with their owners, the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt has put together a list of individuals who have military-related items currently being held by the State Treasurer’s Office. Keep in mind some of these items may have been passed over multiple generations or between loved ones, so the name listed does not necessarily mean the item was theirs.

  1. Ruth Manhood: Robert Mahood military discharge papers
  2. Norman Stroink: Good Conduct medal dated July 24, 1943
  3. Martha Celia Stehn: World War II medal
  4. Jack and Penny Harker: National Defense medal
  5. Bruce Hutchison: military medals and French War Medal letter
  6. Bruce Vierling: Good Conduct medal and pins
  7. Christopher Garmon: Army training documents
  8. Jaret Goforth: Army discharge papers
  9. Lois Priebe: Honorable Discharge papers
  10. Mary Creech: military pins

If you are on this list or recognize a name, search at GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov or contact the claims team at FoundIt@tos.iowa.gov or (515) 281-5367.

Every year, millions of dollars in abandoned property are turned over to the State Treasurer’s Office as unclaimed property, which refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions, businesses and organizations that have lost contact with the owner for a specific period of time. In addition to abandoned safe deposit box contents, other common forms of unclaimed property include dormant checking and saving accounts, uncashed checks, lost stocks, life insurance policies and utility deposits.

Visit GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov to securely search for your name or a local business. Stay connected with the Treasurer on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and tips.

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