Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Thursday returned a lost Purple Heart medal to the grand-niece of a World War II veteran who earned it while fighting in Italy.

Frerichs reunited Army Private Stephen J. Grabowski's military medals with grand-niece Chrystal Cantrell during a ceremony at VFW Post 1301 in Marion.

It is the 16th lost medal Frerichs has returned as part of Operation Purple Heart , an unprecedented mission to reunite lost medals with the rightful owners. The iconic military honor is given to individuals wounded or killed during military combat.

"Private Grabowski sacrificed a great deal to stop an evil dictator and ensure a free world," Frerichs said. "It is never too late to honor the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation."

On April 15, 1945, during the closing days o

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