The family of a World War II veteran is being reunited with a Purple Heart that the family presumed was lost forever. State Treasurer Mike Frerichs tells WJBC’s Scott Laughlin and Patti Penn the medal belonging to Corporal Edward Dunn of Peoria had been surrendered to the treasurer’s office as unclaimed property.

“Nearly 20 years ago we took possession of a safe deposit box that included a Purple Heart and we were finally able to track down the rightful heirs of that Purple Heart,” Frerichs said.

The state Treasurer’s Office is the custodian of unclaimed property, including lost bank accounts, insurance policy proceeds, and forgotten safe deposit boxes. Items are surrendered after private entities tried for at least five years to locate the owners.

This story was submitted to us by WJBC’s Eric Stock.