70 years later, World War II Purple Heart returns to France

As commander of American Legion Paris Post 1, I am sometimes contacted to assist in coordinating a veteran’s visit to Paris or to participate in a patriotic ceremony within France. I received a special request in November asking if I could assist with returning a found World War II Purple Heart medal.
This Purple Heart has been on a long journey. It was found in the bottom of a box purchased at a flea market in Wisconsin. Surprised by this discovery and recognizing the significance, the new owner did some preliminary research on the name engraved on the back of the medal, Victor O. Draeger, and brought it to Jeff Johnson, the Wounded Warrior program coordinator at the VA hospital in Madison, Wis. Jeff in turn gave it to Yvonne Duesterhoeft, the county veterans service officer for the general area where records indicated that the Draeger family resided. Yvonne and her family continued the quest to learn more about him and hopefully find some living relatives. With the help of research librarians, Victor’s high school yearbook photo was located, but no living relatives could be found. It was learned that Victor, a 19-year-old farm boy from Fort Atkinson, Wis., was wounded at Mirecourt, France, on 13 September 1944 and died on 15 September 1944. He died during the liberation battles for the town of Mirecourt. He is buried at the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Epinal American Cemetery. His grave is located at Block A, Row 41, Grave 32. He had never married, had no children, and his mother had died a few years ago in a nursing home.
By chance Yvonne was scheduled to travel to France shortly after the Purple Heart came into her possession. It seemed like a sign: the medal should be returned to Victor. She made plans to visit Epinal as she travelled from Strasbourg to Paris on November 1st — but her plans were derailed by the limited holiday train schedule. Undeterred from the mission, when she arrived in Paris Yvonne began to search for fellow American Legion members to help complete the journey to reunite the medal back to Victor. She was fortunate to meet with Beth Herwood, president of the Paris Post 1 Auxiliary. Beth coordinated the meeting with me while Yvonne’s travel plans included a stop in Brussels, Belgium. Yvonne and I met at NATO Headquarters, where we discussed the importance of finalizing the return of this lost medal.
What does it matter? Why would someone bother to return an old war medal found in the bottom of a flea market box? Who else would care, especially if no remaining family were alive? As a member of The American Legion, we pledge to serve other veterans and their family members. The Preamble to our Constitution includes, “To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars.” We are bonded by mutual respect from the experiences of our own military service. We know why it does matter that this found Purple Heart, this symbol of sacrifice given to a grieving mother so long ago, be reunited with family.
I promised Yvonne that I would make contact with the Epinal American Cemetery superintendent, CSM (U.S. Army, retired) Dwight “Andy” Anderson, to return the medal to a place of honor. Within a day after I made initial contact with Andy, he called and confirmed that he would do his best to assist. A week later he confirmed the ceremony date and I made plans to travel to Epinal.
I arrived early to the cemetery and located Victor’s grave for a short personal visit. I was with my son (on his 15th birthday, 22 December) and a member of the Paris Post 1 Auxiliary, Lee Sperandieu, who also brought her son.
The cross was prepared with the traditional sand inlaid to highlight the inscription and with the U.S. and French flags placed at the foot of the cross. Soon after my arrival, some ceremony participants arrived. I was happy to see some representatives of French veteran associations arrive with their flags. I was introduced to Jocelyne Papelard and Jean-Luc Bouland of the “U.S. Memory Grand Est France” Association. They had informed their members of the ceremony. By the arrival time of the Mirecourt mayor, Yves Sejourne, I was surprised to see nearly 50 participants on a Monday afternoon gathered at the cemetery. We formed and walked together to A – 41 – 32 to arrive at Pfc. Victor O. Draeger’s grave and begin the ceremony.
Andy introduced me to the participants. I began by saying that I was emotionally touched by the number of people who traveled to be present on this cold December Monday afternoon. I explained the story of how the medal finally arrived at Epinal. I discussed the importance of returning the medal, and then I presented it to Yves. He informed all present that the town of Mirecourt has adopted Victor’s grave and pledged to the duty of memory in his honor. He is the symbol of an historic act for the town of Mirecourt – its liberation, just a day after his death. The Purple Heart will be displayed in a place of honor in the Mirecourt Town Hall.
A local journalist asked me after the ceremony why was it important to bring the medal back to Epinal. I responded that with no living family members, the medal needed to be brought back to Victor. who is with his family of brothers of war who rest together in peace. By honoring one, we honor all. We have not forgotten and we never will. This simple ceremony was a sample of many patriotic ceremonies that happen throughout France in honor of service and sacrifice by her liberators. The great bond of French-American friendship remains alive.

http://www.legion.org/fodpal/photos/225868/70-years-later-world-war-ii-p...

In March, Pam Wilson of the Daily Jefferson County Union in Draeger's hometown of Fort Atkinson, Wis., wrote a story about the French adoption of the local GI's grave: http://www.dailyunion.com/news/article_a0454484-cbdb-11e4-a0a9-a776a08a1...