Just a day shy of Veterans Day, a symbol of sacrifice made its way back home. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs carried out an emotional handoff of a long-lost Purple Heart medal to Patti Knies, niece of World War II hero Army Rifleman James R. Bennett, during a poignant ceremony at the VFW Post 5220 in Oak Lawn. This wasn't just a drop in the ocean of memorabilia that typically stays buried in a cold, dark vault; it was part of a larger initiative dubbed Operation Purple Heart, which has the goal to reunite these revered medals with their rightful heirs, according to an Illinois state news release.
Rifleman Bennett's bravery was not without cost; he was injured twice during his service in France and then in Germany before safely returning to U.S. soil and his wife, Ann, and subsequently to Oak Lawn, where they resided for the remainder of their lives. Speaking to the profound legacy Bennett left behind, Frerichs shared, "He frequently wrote his wife, assuring her of his safety and downplaying his sacrifice,” Frerich said. “It is never too late to honor the men and women of the Greatest Generation."
Bennett, who also served as a volunteer firefighter and repaired toys for children with disabilities, had left a deep mark on his community. The Purple Heart, among other items, found its way into an Oak Lawn bank safe deposit box under Ann's name and was later turned over to the Illinois State Treasurer's Office as unclaimed property—a fate that befalls numerous forgotten treasures like bank accounts and uncashed rebate checks. But the Illinois Treasurer's Office takes pride in safeguarding and eventually reuniting such property with their owners, a mission Frerichs has championed with particular fervor when it comes to military medals.
"He was such a wonderful man, and it is an honor to hold his Purple Heart," said Knies, who is also a resident of Northwest Indiana and became Susan’s legal guardian after the couple's passing, in a statement she provided. The reunion of Knies and her uncle's Purple Heart serves as a testament to the tireless effort to ensure that the legacy of soldiers and their families is preserved. For those who might recognize a name on the list of unclaimed Purple Heart medals, Frerichs urges, "This is honor that deserves to be in their loving hands, not the cold, dark vault of my safe." Interested parties can reach out through operationpurpleheart.org, detailed in the Illinois news release.
With an approximate $60 billion to manage as the Chief Investment and Banking Officer of the state, Frerichs' efforts go beyond fiscal responsibility. He is widely recognized for his work in returning a record-breaking $2.4 billion through the missing money I-Cash program, reflecting a profound commitment to both economic and emotional returns. More insights into the State Treasurer’s activities can be sought by following his updated handles on various social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
