Wallet lost in World War II returned to veteran

When his battalion took shelter in an Austrian farmhouse in 1945, he lost his wallet.

According to VA public affairs specialist Carmichael Yepez, during the war, Dr. Ruckhofer’s grandfather allowed Ramos and the 250th field artillery stay the night in the farmhouse.

A wallet lost overseas during World War II is now back in the hands of a veteran in the Fresno, CA area.

However when his unit left the next day Ramos forgot to retrieve his wallet, which was full of family photos and other sentimental items.

“Given that we’ve been commemorating the 70th anniversary of WWII this year, I thought it would be a nice idea to find the owner and maybe return his wallet, if he was still alive”, he added.

70 years later, while Ramos was having breakfast with his daughter, Sylvia Gonzalez, 72, they received a letter from Ruckhofer’s grandson, Dr Josef Ruckhofer, who had inherited the farm. “He wanted to have his family with him in his heart”.

Ruckhofer was excited to receive a response, and he soon shipped a small box containing the priceless cargo.

His large family marvelled at the faded photos kept safe throughout the years, which they now say they will cherish for many generations.

Ramos responded to the letter, and a few weeks later, the wallet arrived at his door, worn down, but still intact. The old G.I., the last survivor from his battalion, has been hospitalized and hasn’t yet spoken with Ruckhofer.

“This wallet, if it could only talk, Rosando Ramos said of his father’s long-lost belonging. Everything will be on exhibit at our house”.