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Massachusetts Thieves Return Stolen Purple Heart
#1

Massachusetts Thieves Return Stolen Purple Heart

A Massachusetts man received an early Christmas present this year on his doorstep (article written by Emily Clark) --

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PLYMOUTH - Just days before Gen. George Patton would turn his Third Army upon German troops and break through enemy lines into Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge, Army 1st Lt. Robert Curtis was wounded by a German artillery shell on a battlefield in the Ardennes.

The explosion nearly killed the paratrooper, inflicting severe leg and back wounds, causing uncontrolled bleeding and sending 100 pieces of shrapnel in his body.

"They didn't think he was going to live, so they triaged him," Curtis' son, Paul Curtis, explained. "He lost so much blood. He said the Salvation Army nurses saved him. They gave him blood."

It was Dec. 18, 1944, the third day of what would be Hitler's last offensive of World War II, and Curtis survived despite long odds.

When it came time to notify Curtis' wife, Edna Timmins, a telegram informed her that Curtis has been "slightly wounded" in action. Curtis figured he might get home sooner if he lied about his injuries.

A six-month hospital stay told the real story.

The Battle of the Bulge killed 19,000 American troops. An additional 47,500 were wounded.

Paul Curtis grew up with the story fresh in his mind, and he often held his father's Purple Heart.

When thieves broke into his Sandwich Street home in April, they stole computers, musical instruments and jewelry.

But most importantly, they stole the Purple Heart. Losing this piece of his family's history was hard on Curtis.

That's why the reappearance of the Purple Heart on his front walkway several weeks ago was a relief.

"The police say maybe there's honor among thieves," Curtis said. "That's all we could make of it. An attack of conscience."

After the war, Curtis' father suffered constant back and ankle pain from his injuries. Shrapnel often continues traveling through the body after impact. Paul Curtis said his dad woke one morning, years later, to find a piece of it sticking out of his chest. Robert Curtis didn't take his shirt off to go swimming because of the heavy scarring on his back. But he was active in the community, serving as president of the Old Colony Club during the town's 350th anniversary in 1970.

Everyone knew Robert Curtis as "The Bear" because he was a big, lovable guy.

Paul Curtis' mom, Edna, was also in the military, serving as a members of the WAVES, the women's branch of the U.S. Naval Reserve. The couple met during the war when Timmins was working the flight simulator at the celestial navigation school in Fort Benning, Georgia. Robert Curtis was a track star from Cleveland, Ohio, and Timmins was from Boston. They married during the war and moved to Plymouth, where they raised their nine children, during the 1950s.

Edna Curtis died in 1990, and her husband followed her one year later. Paul Curtis still has 200 love letters that passed between them during the war.

"He was 73 when he died," Paul said. "He was retired, and so when I was growing up we'd go to the bases. He was like a track star in Ohio growing up; he had all these records. And then he enlisted in 1940 in the draft. He thought he'd go in and do his thing and get out, and he was just about to get out when they bombed Pearl Harbor."

Curtis was a paratrooper and among the thousands of American troops surprised in what was supposed to be a quiet sector by the German offensive. The Allies sprung into action, however, and within days had pushed the Germans back.

The Battle of the Bulge is one of the most pivotal battles of World War II, which would end in Europe five months later. That's why the return of 1st Lt. Robert Curtis' Purple Heart is particularly poignant to Paul and his family, which has a long military history.

Peter McGrath, his nephew, is a Marine poised to serve in his second deployment in Iraq. Paul Curtis' brother, Michael Curtis, is a lieutenant commander in the Navy, and Paul served in the Coast Guard from 1980 to 1985.

Paul Curtis' grandfather on his mother's side, William Timmins, received a battlefield commission during World War I, earning the rank of second lieutenant. Exposure to German mustard gas resulted in respiratory issues for Timmins that, later, caused his death.

For Paul Curtis, his father's Purple Heart is a piece of his father he wants preserved so he can pass it on.

"I'm glad to have it back," he said.

No honor amongst thieves, eh?

What would be the use of a stolen Purple Heart? Peacocking at a bar? Bragging in a Facebook photo about how "your" grandfather fought and died in WW2? Would a pilfered medal have any street value? I don't know how one would know a medal was stolen, but I would bet somebody would only hawk such a thing if they were in the direst of straits or had no respect for their family. . .or they stole it.

Anyways, a related news-story here about military decorations finally being given to the right family--

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[GALENA, IL] It was a Christmas present one family never imagined getting. Some cherished items were returned, just in time for the holidays.

Treasurer Michael Frerich's office presented a Purple Heart Award to the daughter of a Korean War veteran. The once unclaimed property is now back in the hands of a grateful family.

It's not every day you get a call from the State Treasurer's office but, for Barbara Reynolds, it was one she'll never forget.

"I was just really surprised, you know?"

It's been decades since Reynolds' father, John W. Naylor, served in the Army. His dedication and sacrifice to his country led him to receive the Purple Heart.

It's one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the Armed Forces. Unfortunately, as the years went on, that precious emblem was forgotten and thought lost, at least by the family.

"What happens is, parents don't tell their children about the content or the location of these items, and, when they pass, they don't always come to the rightful heir's hand."

That's what happened to this Purple Heart; just sitting in a safe deposit box. The U.S. Bank tried for five years to contact the rightful owner, but was unsuccessful.

So, in these types of situations, items are then surrendered to the Treasurer's office as unclaimed property. In this case, the treasurer's office did a little investigating of its own. And, as they say, the rest is history.

"It was a lot of investigative work, but we got a great staff and we're very grateful to reunite Barbara with something that should've never left her hands."

Reynolds says it's something she never saw coming. Along with the medal, there was more: military discharge papers, a gold ring, savings bonds and some things which, to the family, are priceless.

"The Purple Heart was the most important thing, but all the documents; my parents' marriage certificate, and baptism and my wedding certificates."

She says that phone call couldn't have come at a better time to make this holiday a little brighter.

"I'm just really proud of my dad and I'm so happy we get this back so I can share it with my children."

$1,000 from an insurance policy was also returned to Reynolds from the safe deposit box.

The Treasurer's office currently has more than 100 unclaimed military medals. Medals are never auctioned off.

That bolded quote is pretty interesting. I wonder how tough it is now -- with social media -- to track people and their family members down. These days, you'd think the government should have a bead on people like Blockbuster used to have you dead-to-rights when your video game was 1 day late.

Regardless, it is good to know that some folks got comforting news this Christmas season.

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#2

Massachusetts Thieves Return Stolen Purple Heart

If he was a paratrooper, that might suggest Curtis was in the 101st Airborne -- the group that was briefly cut off at Bastogne before Patton literally ran the Third Army in there and ground up the Germans like piecemeal. The 101st's commander was the guy who, when asked to surrender by the Nazis, replied "Nuts!".

Remissas, discite, vivet.
God save us from people who mean well. -storm
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#3

Massachusetts Thieves Return Stolen Purple Heart

Quote:2Wycked Wrote:

That bolded quote is pretty interesting. I wonder how tough it is now -- with social media -- to track people and their family members down. These days, you'd think the government should have a bead on people like Blockbuster used to have you dead-to-rights when your video game was 1 day late.

Off topic I know, but seriously I'm glad the days of late fees are behind us. I once owed about $60 to Hollywood Video for an overdue copy of the mediocre 1981 Paul Newman movie "Absence of Malice."

As for the medal, it's nice the thieves returned it and all, but like you said it's doubtful the medal had any appreciable street value. I'd be more impressed if they'd returned a diamond ring or anything else of real monetary value. But if they had such scruples to do something like that, it's doubtful they would've stolen anything to begin with.
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#4

Massachusetts Thieves Return Stolen Purple Heart

Seems like it's a risk to go back to the scene of the crime with evidence of your guilt in hand.

If they didn't have any kind of appreciation for what the Purple Heart stands for they would've just thrown it in the garbage, wouldn't they?
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#5

Massachusetts Thieves Return Stolen Purple Heart

Oh, it's definitely a risk to return to the scene of the crime. I'm just not ready to throw a parade in their honor for doing it.
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#6

Massachusetts Thieves Return Stolen Purple Heart

In this day and age they should have some sort of data-dot registration for medals.

Possible it was some punk kids and their mum or dad busted them with the stash. Returned the medal later after giving junior a belting.

The public will judge a man by what he lifts, but those close to him will judge him by what he carries.
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#7

Massachusetts Thieves Return Stolen Purple Heart

Even thieves know when they've crossed the line. The guilt from God was too much for them.

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#8

Massachusetts Thieves Return Stolen Purple Heart

Quote: (12-29-2016 02:04 AM)Leonard D Neubache Wrote:  

In this day and age they should have some sort of data-dot registration for medals.

Possible it was some punk kids and their mum or dad busted them with the stash. Returned the medal later after giving junior a belting.

I've personaly dealt with the Military Personnel Records center in St. Louis and they are _surprisingly efficient. You always here horror stories but my experience has been fantastic.

Of course it isn't the same, but if you lose a medal or it gets stolen they will replace it. They'll even have a little ceremony at graves or in hospitals.

Im sorry to have a negative attitude here, but what are the odds the burglars dropped the medal and a squirrel dug it up or a lawnmower moved it? That seems more likely to me than burglars feeling guilty at Christmas time.

Aloha!
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#9

Massachusetts Thieves Return Stolen Purple Heart

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"The police say maybe there's honor among thieves," Curtis said

The bloke who said that, looks like this...

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