Since the Gilroy Dispatch first published the story of an Alabama man who found a compass that one day belonged to an infantryman supposedly from Gilroy during World War II, the soldier’s full name has come to light.
Brian McDaniel, the man who found the compass while digging through his deceased father’s belongings, contacted the Dispatch and said he hopes what once gave the relic’s owner direction while serving overseas will one day return to his family’s hands—or even his own, if he’s still alive.
Private First Class Dan H. Hitchcock served in the 125th Infantry Regiment, Company C during World War II, which took the fight to the Nazis on German soil and earned decisive victories during the final part of the war, according to military history.
Only “D. Hitchcock Co C 125th INF Gilroy” was inscribed on the inner lid of the compass. The Dispatch learned Hitchcock’s full name after a reader sent in a scanned copy of the regimental handbook that listed all the soldiers who served in the 125th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army during the war.
“Let’s find this guy or his family,” McDaniel said, who is still offering up the chrome Wittnauer compass to its rightful owner. “Personal items, especially those from World War II, have value—but it would have more value to us if we made a family happy. It’s just what makes sense.”
After researching what history he could track down about the item, McDaniel showed the compass to his mother. She recalled purchasing the compass at an antique shop in New Mexico more than 15 years ago, he said. Now, they both agree it should become a treasured possession belonging to a Hitchcock family member.
McDaniel comes from a military family himself, he said. His grandfather served in World War II, and McDaniel said he appreciates the tangible connection to family history these once coveted wartime artifacts can hold to the next-of-kin.
“I want somebody who is a family member or who knew the guy to get it and somebody who cares. That’s the most important thing,” he said. “It’s possible he could still be alive.”
According to a search of the U.S. Army’s list of missing and honored dead from World War II, Hitchcock must have at least made it back to the states safely. What may have become of him upon his return, however, is still a mystery.
More information
Anyone who knows what may have become on Hitchcock or his family can contact reporter Chris Foy at cf**@gi************.com.
