War Veteran's American Flag Stolen From North Wildwood Home On July 4

NORTH WILDWOOD, N.J. (CBS) -- Tom Corcoran does not have a flag pole in front of his home in North Wildwood, but he did have a flag in need of flying.

So, 10 years ago, he turned to his next door neighbor. "He said, 'would you mind flying my brother's flag?' I said I'd be very proud to. I'd be very proud to do it," said Tom Schaffer, a U.S. Army veteran.

In June, 1969, Patrick Corcoran, a graduate of Father Judge High School, died off the coast of Vietnam when an Australian carrier vessel collided with their naval destroyer. He was 19.

His body never came home, but a folded flag did. This is not that flag, but a replacement.

On early Monday, July 4 morning, it was discovered that the flag was gone, stolen from the pole outside of the 11th Street home.

"My wife and I, Lorraine, had to tell Tommy," Schaffer said. "We both broke down. I'll admit it."

The missing burial flag is 5 x 9 1/2 feet and they all want it back.

This is not the first time this family has been slighted. When the Vietnam War Memorial was presented in Penn's Landing in 1987, Patrick's name was nowhere to be found. It was eventually added, but his family is still fighting to get his name and his 73 shipmates added to the memorial in Washington.

North Wildwood Police say that at least two more flags were stolen from the area early that morning.

When asked what he would say to someone if they did bring the flag back, "I would thank them for doing the right thing. No questions asked. I'll shake your hand." Corcoran said.