For the three years she has lived in Federal Way, Dorothy Burt has dedicated her time and energy to one task — researching the history of the more than 60 veterans memorialized on a plaque from Federal Way High School.

Her research has expanded to cover other veterans as well, the majority remain affiliated with the school.

Using school records, yearbooks, census data and online databases, Burt is able to track down military records and families to piece together their histories.

A similar project she undertook in Oregon resulted, after at least 10 years, in a database of 15,000 veterans.

“I want people to see the kids. Because they were kids,” Burt said.

The plaque, as well as a list of names and photos of the Federal Way High School veterans will be displayed at the Todd Beamer High School’s Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 11. It will be the first time her Federal Way research is displayed — and the last for a good while until she confirms the details of her research.

“I don’t know how I got into this, but it sure is interesting,” Burt said.

Burt’s ‘boys’

Many of the male students from Federal Way High School Burt has researched didn’t finish high school. A note in the 1942 yearbook for Federal Way High School mentions that Daniel Johnson “left to join the Navy.” Some joined the military before war broke out. Others, like one George Moore, may have gone to Canada to join its military.

Burt uses veterans’ death reports to piece together the history of their service, such as that of Alvin DeWald, a member of the 447th Anti-aircraft Artillery unit. He was captured at the Battle of the Bulge and died in a prisoner of war camp on Feb. 19, 1945.

Some of the veterans may have lied about their ages, Burt said. In trying to track down military records, she has to find their birth dates. In some cases, the date provided by the military was different than that filed with Social Security.

But Burt is determined to pursue her research and find new sources, even when challenges come up.

“I don’t give up.”

Sifting through census data on the veterans also brings up connections among families. Burt’s research shows that James Balcom, a Seaman first class, married Lorraine Kravik, sister of Leon Kravik, a member of the Army Air Corps’ 646th TSS. Leon Kravik joined the military in December 1942 and died in April 1943, perhaps as the result of a training accident, Burt says.

The woman behind the research

Burt serves on the Historical Society of Federal Way’s veterans committee. She is also a member of the Federal Way Lions Club.

About 95 percent of historic records come from the local level, Burt said. Researching the veterans is her contribution.

researching the history of the more than 60 veterans memorialized on a plaque from Federal Way High School.

Her research has expanded to cover other veterans as well, the majority remain affiliated with the school.

Using school records, yearbooks, census data and online databases, Burt is able to track down military records and families to piece together their histories.

A similar project she undertook in Oregon resulted, after at least 10 years, in a database of 15,000 veterans.

“I want people to see the kids. Because they were kids,” Burt said.

The plaque, as well as a list of names and photos of the Federal Way High School veterans will be displayed at the Todd Beamer High School’s Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 11. It will be the first time her Federal Way research is displayed — and the last for a good while until she confirms the details of her research.

“I don’t know how I got into this, but it sure is interesting,” Burt said.

Burt’s ‘boys’

Many of the male students from Federal Way High School Burt has researched didn’t finish high school. A note in the 1942 yearbook for Federal Way High School mentions that Daniel Johnson “left to join the Navy.” Some joined the military before war broke out. Others, like one George Moore, may have gone to Canada to join its military.

Burt uses veterans’ death reports to piece together the history of their service, such as that of Alvin DeWald, a member of the 447th Anti-aircraft Artillery unit. He was captured at the Battle of the Bulge and died in a prisoner of war camp on Feb. 19, 1945.

Some of the veterans may have lied about their ages, Burt said. In trying to track down military records, she has to find their birth dates. In some cases, the date provided by the military was different than that filed with Social Security.

But Burt is determined to pursue her research and find new sources, even when challenges come up.

“I don’t give up.”

Sifting through census data on the veterans also brings up connections among families. Burt’s research shows that James Balcom, a Seaman first class, married Lorraine Kravik, sister of Leon Kravik, a member of the Army Air Corps’ 646th TSS. Leon Kravik joined the military in December 1942 and died in April 1943, perhaps as the result of a training accident, Burt says.

The woman behind the research

Burt serves on the Historical Society of Federal Way’s veterans committee. She is also a member of the Federal Way Lions Club.

About 95 percent of historic records come from the local level, Burt said. Researching the veterans is her contribution.