Fifty years have passed since Nigel Foster lost his naval identification card on a hot day at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - but following its recovery last month, the credential will soon be back in his possession.
Mr Foster was a 23-year-old junior electrician recruit when he lost his ID. He had joined the Navy five years prior, in 1963, for a chance to see the world.
"I wanted an interesting job and a different life," the Whanganui native said.
In 1968, from March to October, the HMNZS Otago was stopped in Hawaii for refuelling, training and taking on supplies when Mr Foster was helping to load the ship.
He can't remember the precise date the ID card slipped from his shirt he had removed on the hot day, but recalls it going missing.
Mr Foster is astonished the ID appears to be in such good condition, and will accept it back into his possession once it arrives back in New Zealand.
The 72-year-old left the Navy in June of 1972, and now lives in Auckland with his wife Lynne.
The man who found the ID card, contractor Charles Morton, works with a dig team currently removing unexploded ordnance from dredge material at Pearl Harbor.
He reached out to the Royal New Zealand Navy with photos, hoping the card's owner was still alive once it was recovered, in accordance with his company's policy.
A photo of the card was posted to the New Zealand Defence Force's (NZDF's) Facebook page, and shared more than 22,000 times with hope brewing the card would fall back into its rightful owner's hands.
Mr Morton said that varying items are often unearthed when the area in Waipio Point, just across from Ford Island, is dredged - a frequent occurrence.
He revealed the occasional ID tags have been found, which are forwarded to the Navy to be returned to their next of kin.
"There is enough anti-aircraft ammunition to shoot down half the WWII Zeros, as well as coffee cups, mess trays, silverware, tools and dozens of lead weights from fishing nets," he explained.
He said they've also found bells from small boats, propellers from 25-150cm across, and an anchor which stands 2.5 metres-tall.
A New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) spokesperson said once the ID card is back in their possession, Mr Foster will be presented it back.
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