SAN ANTONIO – Pieces of American history with ties to all parts of the nation have found their way to the Alamo City.
Most of the letters were sent from Illinois. The soldier was stationed in San Francisco during World War II. Yet, somehow, decades later, a box of his things ended up in San Antonio.
Among the 75-year-old memorabilia was a letter to the soldier, from President Harry Truman.
Jeanette Malacara has been collecting antiques for 30 years.
"I have a lot of unusual, unique things," Malacara said.
These pieces are more than unique, however, Malacara didn't know she'd been housing a box full of an American hero's history for at least 15 years. The box she discovered holds letters and cards, belonging to Pfc. Kenneth J. Hackbert.
"These are all his military cards," Malacara said as she pointed at small pieces of paper laid out on her table. "That's a chapel card. They all have his name on there. Then he's got a couple of letters from his family."
One of the envelopes from what seems to be a family member had an old newspaper clipping inside. The headline said, "Cut discharge requirements. Eightteen-month soldiers to be released October 1."
"Then he's got a Christmas card from somebody and then, of course, the letter from President Harry Truman."
An archivist with the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum confirmed the letter, complete with a White House seal and the president's signature, was one of many presented or sent to all honorably discharged veterans of World War II.
"I think that's pretty neat having Harry Truman the president sign and give him a letter," Malacara said.
Along with the other items there was a photograph. The assumption is that Hackbert is somewhere in the picture but it's impossible to know unless Malacara finds someone who knows him.
"I was going to sell it on OfferUp or the other places but then I said, 'No, I'm going to see if maybe the family would like to have it," Malacara said.
Malacara is from a rooted military family.
"My father, he was in the Navy, and my brother, he's in the Navy. He passed also. And I have a brother that's alive. He's in the Army," she said.
She knows the importance of these special items and is on a mission to find their rightful owner.
"I don’t even know how to do Facebook yet," Malacara said, asking for the community's help in finding Hackbert or his family.
Anyone who may know who the soldier can email KSAT reporter Courtney Friedman at cfriedman@ksat.com.
--------------------------------------------------------
Don't miss a thing. Get email alerts from KSAT12 today.
Get alerted to news events as they happen or sign up for a scheduled news headline email that is delivered right to your inbox. Breaking news, severe weather, daily forecasts, entertainment news, all of the day’s important events to keep you up to date wherever you are.
Sign up today. It's Free.