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Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs reunited a Purple Heart with the family of the veteran who earned it, after it came into the State Treasury's possession

The medal was given to Army Rifleman James R. Bennett, who was injured twice while fighting in World War II, and also worked as a volunteer firefighter and part-time member of the police department

The award was found inside an Oak Lawn Bank safe deposit box in Bennett's wife's name

A Purple Heart medal was returned to the family of a World War II Veteran 35 years after his death.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned the prestigious award — given to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been “ wounded or killed as a result of enemy action” — to the family of Army Rifleman James R. Bennett, ac

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