Illinois Returns WWII Purple Heart to Late Veteran’s Grandson

June 12_ 2025 - Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Returns WW II Purple Heart to Suburban Geneva Family (Office of the State Treasurer of Illinois)

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Family receives World War II hero’s Purple Heart at ceremony in Geneva

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Illinois returns WWII Purple Heart to late veteran’s grandson

GENEVA, Ill. — The Illinois treasurer's office returned a Purple Heart Thursday to the grandson of a WWII Battle of the Bulge veteran. Private First-Class Edward Gorski Jr., a Chicago native, enlisted in April 1944 after turning 18 that January. He was part of the Army’s 65th Infantry Division — nicknamed the "Battle-Axe Division." Gorski Jr. earned the Purple Heart during a nighttime mortar attack reminiscent of a scene in the HBO miniseries “B…

Purple Heart reunited with WWII veteran's family in Geneva

A Purple Heart that lost its way has now been reunited with the family of a World War II veteran.

Purple Heart medal returned to veteran's family 80 years after his death

A Purple Heart medal found in a Georgia junkyard is returned to a family member of the World War II veteran who earned the honor.

Geneva veteran receives grandfather's misplaced Purple Heart in ceremony with State Treasurer Michael Frerichs

A missing Purple Heart was returned to the family of World War II veteran Edward Gorski by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs on Thursday during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 75 building in Geneva. The ceremony marked the…