Pearl Harbor survivor pleads for return of stolen memorabilia

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. (KGO) -- In San Leandro, a fairly common automobile break-in has had some extremely sad consequences. In this case, it's a matter of what was stolen and from whom.

Mickey Ganitch, 92, is a World War II veteran and a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He lost 23 of his friends in the attack on the USS Pennsylvania. Now an attack to his personal property has taken a big slice of his heart and soul. He is devastated.

"You can't replace it," Ganitch said. "It's so meaningful that I can do it and I survived."

The medals, a hat, and the sextant he used to teach, all were gone from his car when he returned to the San Leandro lot where it was parked on April 4. San Leandro police have little to go on.

Ganitch, who gave so much to this country in World War II and after, has only a little hope.

We asked if he has a message for the person who broke into his car.

'It's so meaningful. I might get it back. Don't throw it away because I would like to have it back," he said choking back tears. "Please give it back to me."

Ganitch is hoping that whoever took those items from his car hears about this story and that he/she has some shred of decency. He just wants the items back, no questions asked.

If you have any information that can help investigators in this case, please contact the San Leandro Police Department.

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crime, san leandro, east bay news, wayne freedman

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