Lost Purple Heart Returned to Vietnam Veteran in Time for Veterans Day

Just in time for Veterans Day, a Vietnam veteran in Massachusetts has been reunited with his lost Purple Heart medal. U.S. Army veteran James Mooney of Everett received the honor from State Treasurer Deb Goldberg after it was found in a safe deposit box by the state’s Unclaimed Property Division.

“Returning this Purple Heart is about more than reuniting someone with a lost possession, it is about honoring the service and sacrifice of one of our nation’s heroes,” Goldberg said in a statement.

Mooney served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 as a large artillery gun operator. During his service, he earned several commendations for bravery and marksmanship. His Purple Heart was one of six discovered in unclaimed safe deposit boxes across Massachusetts, and only the second to be returned.

Earlier this year, the family of Sgt. Thomas Lynch received his long-lost medal at a ceremony at the Massachusetts State House. Four additional Purple Hearts remain unclaimed, belonging to veterans from World War II and the Korean War. Officials are still searching for the families of Joseph Arudda, Edward McCabe, William Bemis, and Robert Boquist.

Anyone with information about these veterans or their families is encouraged to contact the Treasurer’s Office at 617-367-0400.

The Purple Heart is America’s oldest military decoration, established by George Washington in 1782 as the Badge of Merit to honor courage and sacrifice.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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