A New Jersey woman whose uncle bravely fought in World War II got her late relative’s long-lost Purple Heart back after the award was spotted at a Texas flea market earlier this summer.
The injury to the left side of his head was so severe that at first he couldn’t walk or talk and had to learn again. That relative died of cancer at 45 and from there, it became unclear what happened to the Purple Heart because the family didn’t have a good relationship with the fiancée, Manhardt said.An Air Force veteran purchased the Purple Heart after she noticed it at the Texas flea market with the intent of shipping it to Purple Hearts Reunited, whose mission is to connect lost military medals with veterans and their families.
Manhardt got choked up thinking about the sacrifices he made for his country. He was too old to be drafted but still wanted to fight.