Illinois State Treasurer Returns Lost Purple Heart

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs facilitated the return of a Purple Heart medal to the family of World War II veteran Jerome Even, who witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor. The medal, found in a safe deposit box, was among others returned by the Treasurer's Office through Operation Purple Heart. The initiative aims to reunite lost or forgotten military medals with veterans or their families, emphasizing the importance of honoring their sacrifice and service. Despite Jerome Even's meticulous planning before his passing, the Purple Heart remained undiscovered until recently. The successful return of the medal underscores the significance of recognizing and memorializing veterans' contributions, with more medals awaiting rightful owners' reclamation.