Reunites 17th Family Whose Military Honors Were Missing for Years

VIDEO TO BE POSTED HERE: https://cms.illinois.gov/agency/media/video/videos.html

OAK LAWN, Ill. , Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On the day before Veterans Day, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned a lost Purple Heart medal to the niece of a World War II veteran who was injured while fighting in France and Germany.

Frerichs reunited Army Rifleman James R. Bennett's medal with niece Patti Knies during a ceremony at VFW Post 5220 in Oak Lawn.

It is the 17th lost medal Frerichs has returned as part of Operation Purple Heart , an unprecedented mission to reunite the military honor with the rightful owners. The iconic medal is awarded to individuals wounded or killed during military combat.

Bennett was wou

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