Contact the guy.
I have contacted and spoken to veterans and also the families of those killed in action, and never had a bad experience. Worst they can do is say no. Best case is that they are thrilled someone cares to hear about their role in the war, or their loved one’s role. That has been my experience, that people love that someone is interested in hearing of their loved one’s service.
Stolen? Maybe. But how many times has anyone legitimately ever heard of that happening? Oh it could happen sure, but to me that response has always seemed more like “my uncle’s brother’s cousin’s dog groomers sister said that...” than anything else. The NICS check has nothing to do with the gun or the serial number.
If they tell you something that makes you feel bad, then sell the gun and get another, maybe one with capture papers and a unit named on the papers.
The vet could as easily have won the gun in a card game on the ship home too, who knows.
Go for it! And if you get to meet the guy (go see him in person!) be sure to get a pic of him and you with the gun too. Then write the entire story down.
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