A Purple Heart from an abandoned bank safe deposit box is displayed during a news conference on May 23, 2024, about Operation Purple Heart. The Illinois treasurer’s office is trying to reunite unclaimed Purple Hearts with their owners. Ahead of Memorial Day, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs made a renewed request for the public’s assistance in returning a dozen Purple Heart medals to their rightful owners.
The medals are among the billions of dollars in unclaimed funds and property currently held by the treasurer’s office. A bank account, investment product or safe deposit box is typically turned over to the state if there is no activity for several years. The agency is required by law to attempt to return all unclaimed property.
It’s estimated that more than 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded since 1932. The medal is known as the nation’s oldest military honor, with origins dating back to the Revolutionary War, according to the Department of Defense. At first, the medals were only awarded to soldiers, but in 1942 Congress opened the honor to all services, including some civilians.
“They deserve to be in the warm embrace of family rather than sitting in a cold vault in Springfield,” Frerichs said.