Family returns letters, pictures to relatives of discovered WWII airman


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PLEASANT GROVE — His family just laid his remains to rest in Utah after they were missing for decades in the South Pacific. Now, a deceased World War II vet's family is learning of a new discovery.

Another family uncovered a trove of wartime letters and photos belonging to U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Vernal J. Bird, while combing through a loved one's home in Pleasant Grove ahead of an estate sale.

"I think that on a spiritual side, someone wanted us to find their stuff and get it back to their family," said Nanalie Knotts.

Knotts said her mother was a collector of numerous things. The woman's home was blanketed in knick-knacks and collectibles Tuesday.

Still, Knotts said her family did not know the Bird family, nor did she believe that they shared any connection that would have led to the pictures being in her mother's house.

"Rather than maybe see them thrown away, we wouldn't be surprised if she didn't buy these at a yard sale," Knotts said.

Among the Bird belongings were pictures of Bird in uniform and letters addressed to family in Magna and Pleasant Grove.

Knotts initial reaction Saturday was to discard the random letters. She saw the family's story two days later and rushed to the garbage.

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"I knew that name all of a sudden and it was in my trash out here," Knotts said. "I ran back from work yesterday and went through the recycling bin and the garbage until I found the stuff."

Bird himself was missing for decades after a bombing mission against Japanese forces in New Guinea in 1944. It was believed Bird was lost at sea. However, a resident of the island nation discovered the crash site in 2001. Bird family members later discovered DNA could be cross-checked against discovered remains.

Last month, the family was notified of a match and a funeral service was held Saturday.

Lorna Snyder, Vernal Bird's niece, had not yet seen the photos or letters Tuesday. She said she was thankful for the find, but wasn't necessarily surprised. Bird and his enlisted friends, she said, were prolific letter writers.

Knotts said she hoped the discovery would make a difference to the Bird family.

"We have found tons of our family history - our father came from a big military family," Knotts said. "Their history means so much to us - I can't help but think that this would, because they lost him."

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