Purple Heart Medal Returned to Family of Late Illinois WWII Veteran
Reunion of a Lifetime
An Illinois woman, Carolyn Peckham, was reunited with her late father’s Purple Heart from WWII just in time for Veterans Day. U.S. Marine Corps Private First-Class Delbert G. Tuttle was honored for wounds he suffered during the Battle of Saipan in the Pacific Theater on June 15, 1944.
A Symbol of Bravery and Sacrifice
Tuttle’s Purple Heart medal was found among several others inside an abandoned safe deposit box. By state law, the awards were turned over to the State Treasurer’s Office. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has been working to return each award since they were found in November 2021.
A Heartfelt Ceremony
Frerichs returned Tuttle’s Purple Heart to Peckham during a private ceremony at the World War II Memorial outside the Decatur Civic Center on October 29. The ceremony was a meaningful moment for Peckham, who spoke about her father’s love and devotion.
“My father loved my brother and I very, very much,” Peckham said. “The war was very difficult for him. He carried it with him forever. But he was always there for us. He was very loving.”
About the Veteran
Tuttle was born in Tuscola, Illinois, on October 6, 1919. He briefly lived on Chicago’s West Side after the war where he met his future wife, Lorraine Fellows. They married and moved to Decatur, where he worked as a machinist for the A. W. Cash Company. He died April 16, 1972, while battling lung cancer. He was buried at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield.
About Operation Purple Heart
The military award was returned as part of Illinois’ Operation Purple Heart, a mission to return lost medals to war heroes and their families.
About the Importance of the Medal
“Private First Class Tuttle put aside his own wounds so that he could help his fellow combatants take a battleground that was key to ushering in the end of the Second World War,” Frerichs said. “No matter the passage of time, his bravery and sacrifice shall never be forgotten, especially as we return this Purple Heart to his family.”
Conclusion
The return of Tuttle’s Purple Heart is a reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers like him during World War II. It is a symbol of their bravery and devotion to their country. We hope that this reunion brings closure and a sense of pride to Peckham and her family.
FAQs
Q: What is Operation Purple Heart?
A: Operation Purple Heart is a mission by the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office to return lost medals to war heroes and their families.
Q: Who was Private First-Class Delbert G. Tuttle?
A: Private First-Class Delbert G. Tuttle was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in WWII and was honored with a Purple Heart for his wounds during the Battle of Saipan.
Q: How did the medal get lost?
A: The medal was found among several others inside an abandoned safe deposit box.
Q: When did the medal get returned?
A: The medal was returned on October 29 during a private ceremony at the World War II Memorial outside the Decatur Civic Center.
