BAKERSFIELD, CA - A lost Purple Heart is now back where it belongs... with the family of the soldier who earned it.
The Purple Heart was found in a Tulare pawn shop six years ago by a veteran. He bought it and eventually brought it to Ken Hooper's archiving class at Bakersfield High School.
In just two days, the students learned the medal belonged to Private First Class Norval A. Monroe, a Tulare resident, who died during World War II in 1944.
The students found his niece living in Visalia.
And, on Tuesday a special ceremony was held at the Wall of Valor in downtown Bakersfield.
BHS student Jenna Sims handed the Purple Heart over to Monroe's family.
"I'm really happy I could do this, to get to meet the family and give them what they deserve," said Sims.
"We're all retired educators so it's very special to us that the students are involved in this. It's nice high school students have an interest in archiving and the sense of history that goes along with that," said Suzanne Moore, PFC Monroe's niece.
After the presentation, Taps was played, as veterans old and young, saluted this fallen hero.
Monroe says the Purple Heart was lost about ten years ago when her grandparents moved.
Her family is extremely grateful to have it back.
The Purple Heart was found in a Tulare pawn shop six years ago by a veteran. He bought it and eventually brought it to Ken Hooper's archiving class at Bakersfield High School.
In just two days, the students learned the medal belonged to Private First Class Norval A. Monroe, a Tulare resident, who died during World War II in 1944.
The students found his niece living in Visalia.
And, on Tuesday a special ceremony was held at the Wall of Valor in downtown Bakersfield.
BHS student Jenna Sims handed the Purple Heart over to Monroe's family.
"I'm really happy I could do this, to get to meet the family and give them what they deserve," said Sims.
"We're all retired educators so it's very special to us that the students are involved in this. It's nice high school students have an interest in archiving and the sense of history that goes along with that," said Suzanne Moore, PFC Monroe's niece.
After the presentation, Taps was played, as veterans old and young, saluted this fallen hero.
Monroe says the Purple Heart was lost about ten years ago when her grandparents moved.
Her family is extremely grateful to have it back.