Patti Knies was proud of her uncle’s military service but was unaware that he left something memorable behind.
Knies, a resident of Chesterton, Ind., was contacted about a year ago by the Illinois State Treasurer’s office regarding an honor that was bestowed to her uncle, James Bennett, a World War II Army rifleman.
And on Monday morning at the Johnson-Phelps VFW Post 5220 in Oak Lawn, that honor was presented to Knies by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs — her uncle’s Purple Heart.
On the day before Veterans Day, Frerichs returned the Purple Heart to Knies. Her uncle, a longtime Oak Lawn resident, was injured while fighting in France and Germany.
The Purple Heart and other items were in an Oak Lawn bank deposit box in Ann Bennett’s name, the wife of the World War II soldier. Knies said her aunt never mentioned it.
“I knew nothing about the safety deposit box,” said Knies. “When my aunt and uncle passed, a lot of items were also passed on. But in no way did I know about this. This is exciting. He was a really great guy.”
This is the 17th lost medal Frerichs has returned as part of Operation Purple Heart, a mission to reunite the military honor with the rightful owners. The medal is awarded to individuals wounded or killed during combat. Frerichs has presented more Purple Hearts and other items in the state and the nation.
Bennett was wounded twice during his service. He was first wounded on Aug. 13, 1944, in France and again on Dec. 13, 1944, in Germany. He returned stateside to his wife and a year later, in December of 1945, made Oak Lawn their lifelong home.
“Rifleman Bennett served his country honorably,” Frerichs said. “He frequently wrote to hispurple heart wife, assuring her of his safety and downplaying his sacrifice. It is never too late to honor the men and women of the Greatest Generation.”
Frerichs said that Bennett’s Purple Heart was surrendered to the Illinois State Treasurer’s office as unclaimed property in 2022. He added that safeguarding unclaimed property until it can be returned to its owners or heirs is one of the core functions of his office. Other examples of unclaimed property include bank accounts, unpaid life insurance benefits, and uncashed rebate checks.
After Frerichs presented the Purple Heart medal to Knies, she became emotional after receiving it.
“I am honored to receive this,” Knies said. “He was such a wonderful man, and it is an honor to hold his Purple Heart. So many soldiers and families suffered and sacrificed so much. It is important that they are remembered.”
Frerichs provided some background information on Bennett during the ceremony. Bennett and his wife had a daughter, Susan, who had encephalitis and developed disabilities so severe she was not expected to survive beyond childhood. Susan lived into her 50s, Frerichs said.
James Bennett died in 1990 at the age of 76. His wife died seven years later. Knies then became Susan’s legal guardian.
Bennett served as a volunteer firefighter and part-time member of the police department. He also repaired toys for children with disabilities.
The choice to hold the ceremony at the Johnson-Phelps VFW Post was no accident. Frerichs mentioned that Bennett was previously a post commander and involved in various activities with the post.
The Johnson-Phelps VFW Post Color Guard took part in the beginning and conclusion of the ceremony, ending with the playing of “Taps” by a bugler from the post.
“He didn’t talk about his service and this was common for veterans back then,” said Frerichs, who began the Operation Purple Heart project in 2021.
“He was proud of his country and he loved this town,” Knies added.
Military medals are among the most difficult items to return because neither the Armed Forces or the federal government maintains a comprehensive list of those receiving awards, Frerichs said.
Frerichs mentioned that there are six more veterans who he would like to present Purple Heart awards to family members. His office is currently trying to track down relatives of these veterans but needs some assistance.
“Maybe you don’t have a lot of information but you might have a clue,” Frerichs said. “If you recognize a name, please reach out to their family. This is an honor that deserves to be in their loving hands, not the cold, dark vault of my office.”
Anyone who has information on a veteran who was a recipient of a Purple Heart or other honors can contact operationpurpleheart.org.