The Rediscovery of a WWII Soldier’s Coat in Indiana

A simple trip for Halloween costumes transformed unexpectedly when a woman in Indiana stumbled upon a coat worn by a World War II soldier. Zuleika King Rivera, while searching for her children’s outfits at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Fort Wayne, discovered a coat priced at $9.99 labeled ‘Halloween Jacket.’

Upon examining the coat, Rivera noticed a name tag ‘Willibey’ with military identification details, including the last four digits of an Army service number. A veteran herself, Rivera felt an immediate connection, driven by respect for service members and veterans.

‘This was not just an old military uniform,’ she explained. ‘It represented a person, someone who served, someone whose family might not know of its existence.’

Determined to learn about the coat’s owner, Rivera spent over four hours researching. Using the service number and the surname ‘Willibey,’ she discovered the identity of Gilbert Alton Willibey from Indiana. Born on April 8, 1917, Gilbert was drafted into the U.S. Army on April 15, 1941, and served during World War II, including time in South Africa. The coat’s patches provided further insight into Gilbert’s military journey, indicating six years of service with three years overseas during which he reached the rank of corporal.

Gilbert returned home in 1946, married Dorothy, and they had a son named Bruce. Rivera’s search led her to Bruce’s obituary, indicating his recent passing. She then discovered Bruce’s daughter, Meghan Stewart, who was unaware of her grandfather’s military history.

Rivera reached out through a mutual acquaintance on Facebook, exchanging contact details with Stewart. Rivera shared the information she had unearthed about Stewart’s grandfather.

The circumstances leading the coat to the thrift store remain unclear. Rivera and Stewart suspect it was mixed with belongings during an estate sale after Gilbert’s passing. The coat, missing for two decades, was finally returned to the family.

Upon meeting Stewart, Rivera noticed the emotional significance of the moment. ‘I understood the emotions on her face, recalling my own grandfather’s passing and wishing to find something connected to him,’ Rivera said.

Beyond solving the mystery, Rivera found fulfillment in reconnecting Stewart with a part of her family’s history. She expressed, ‘Bringing someone a piece of their family back was incredibly rewarding, knowing that it had finally returned home after being absent for two decades.’

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Marc Vargas and Tony Phillips.