Lost Purple Heart Returned to World War II Veteran’s Family After Nearly 50 Years

by John Brodgian | August 11, 2015 11:22 am

The family of a WWII pilot lost his purple heart back in the 1960s. Now, nearly 50 years later, they are getting it back[1]!

Lost Purple Heart Returned to World War II Veteran’s Family After Nearly 50 Years[2]

Wiljo Matalamaki had his bomber plane shot down over Germany in 1944 and it was never recovered. His mother held onto his Purple Heart until her death in 1966, when the medal disappeared.

Decades later in the ’90s, another family that had moved into the home where Matalamaki grew up found the Purple Heart in a dump near their house. Tami Heart was fascinated by the medal and began researching Matalamaki’s life. Eventually, descendants of Matalamaki returned to the home and asked Heart to return the medal to the war hero’s family.

The family will receive the medal at a military fort in St. Paul. Thank you and may God bless Wiljo Matalamaki’s service and sacrifice to this country.

Endnotes:
  1. they are getting it back: http://time.com/3989692/lost-purple-heart-returned/
  2. [Image]: https://rightwingnews1.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/RWN39.jpg

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