Multi-Year Search for Medal Ends for Former Illinois Resident

•April 12, 2017•

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today returned a Purple Heart medal to Vietnam War veteran Harold J. Walker.

The Purple Heart is one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. Frerichs also returned a Vietnam Service medal and a National Defense medal for Walker’s service in Vietnam. The honors were discovered in a safe deposit box that was surrendered to the treasurer’s office as unclaimed property.

Born in Mississippi, Walker moved to Chicago at the age of 18 to live with his mother. He was later drafted into the Army and served as an infantryman in the Vietnam War from 1969-1970 where he earned his Purple Heart.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.