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 Replies: 31 / Views: 4,444 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1116 Posts |
i don't know what forum to put this in so I apologize.
hello everyone a couple of months ago I posted a purple heart on here that was given to me by my father asking what I could get for it. I got blasted by a lot of members and rightfully so. I didn't truly want to sell it I just didn't know what to do with it I had been holding on to it for years with no luck finding family members.
i had the post locked and figured I would just hold on to it and one day try to find the family again. my computer has been down for three months when I came back I had received emails from forum members xshift and mshev stating that they have found possible family members of the soldier with a link to one of the family members email address.
i would like to thank mshev and xshift for the emails and finding the family I am happy to say that I have been in contact with the family and am in the process of returning the purple heart to them once I receive there address thanks for every thing and all the help finding the family.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2130 Posts |
I think what you are doing is GREAT! I bet you get that warm feeling all over.Kudos to you.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3171 Posts |
Awesome. Its great the family will get it and hopefully cherish too. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
500 Posts |
Interestingly, I just recently inherited the two purple hearts my uncle was awarded in WW2 having served in the cavalry and taken shrapnel in two different battles. While they are cool to look at, I was thinking about donating them to the "Purple Heart veterans" charity that keeps calling me for clothes donations. Maybe they'd then go to someone who lost one? Is there a better place to donate them? |
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Valued Member
United States
372 Posts |
I never saw the post. I'm sorry to hear the way you were treated. I have been in the Army for 16 years and besides collecting coins, I have a large military collection which consists of a handful of purple hearts as well as other awarded medals. While a lot of people consider this a "sacred" medal that is held on a high pedestal (and it should be respected) many people don't know what to do with "grandpa's military stuff" when it is found or inherited. Why should someone who cannot properly display or respect it just keep it in a box never to be appreciated or in many cases find their way to the dumpster (I know a lot of people who have found uniforms and medals this way). While donations to museums are always an option, I cringe everytime I hear someone suggest that because unless it is something with major significance, it too will never see the light of day. BuffalosRock mentioned the charity, but I can only assume it would not go to someone who lost it. Lost medals are free from the military and quite easy to get. I had acquired about 50 brand new unissued purple hearts in the box and I specifically called up the Military Order of the Purple Heart with the intention of handing them out to recipients who wanted one but they gave me the cold shoulder and were not interested. A lot of people angrily ask "how can you put a price on that" but like anything, there is a collector market. I have purchased military items from the children and grandchildren of veterans numerous times and at least they have the comfort of knowing they have found a home where the items can be appreciated. Buffalo, if you want to find a home for the medals or any of your Uncle's military items, don't hesitate to let me know. Here is a picture of one of the displays I made for an armorer with the Air Corps during WWII.. Mike  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1150 Posts |
Three months ago I was cruising ebay for vietnam stuff. I found dogtags for sale out of Vietnam from KIA US soldiers. I googled the names and contacted old army buddies of theirs, and the person in Vietnam gave them the dogtags instead of selling them for the original asking price of $150 a piece. These guys then got the dogtags, after almost 45 years, to the families. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2661 Posts |
Quote:
I didn't truly want to sell it I honestly hope you are sincere in that statement. With that said, I am glad that some members were able to help track down the surviving relatives. Also, and I may be mistaken about this, but I think it is a felony to sell to possess and/or sell a Purple Heart that is not rightfully yours. By the way, they bring $50K-$100K on the black market. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
Good on you! That was the right thing to do. All us military veterans appreciate the dignity and respect you showed to the family of the PH recipient. Credentials: My medals from my Air Force service  Edited by Moe145
09/09/2011 6:54 pm
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Valued Member
United States
372 Posts |
Yeah sorry Tim, you are mistaken. They are perfectly legal to own. The only medal prohibited from sale/trade/barter is the medal of honor. Still, it is not illegal to own it.
There is no "black market" for the purple heart. Anyone can buy one from numerous medal retailers online. An unnamed WWII era heart is $50-75.
Mike
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
This one's a no brainer. Send them to John Kerry. He's making a voter-proof vest out of them.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Quote:
The only medal prohibited from sale/trade/barter is the medal of honor...Anyone can buy one from numerous medal retailers online. Incorrect and illegal. The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 made it a crime to buy, sell, trade, barter or manufacture the Congressional Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, Silver Star, or Purple Heart and also a crime to falsely wear or display those medals. The SVA was an amendment to 18 U.S.C. ยง 704, the original federal law governing military medals and decorations. Edited by biokemist6
09/10/2011 02:55 am
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
This ad says US buyers can't bid because of the 2005 act, must be legal everywhere else though. http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNITED-STAT...t_500wt_1156Its all a bit sad really, some of these troops will have paid the ultimate sacrifice only to have their deeds forgotten. What disappointed me the most was that 95% of the hits for 'purple heart' on ebay were cheap and nasty crappy trinkets where people were just trying to make a few quick $s. I'd rather see these listings banned, its like the sellers who try to make money out of tasteless 911 memorabilia but none of the profits ever go to those who deserve it. I've seen items like mmerc20s on ebay before, people would buy medals and research the soldier to whom it was given getting copies of service records etc. They would often present the items in a frame or box, seems a far more fitting end than sitting in a cupboard forgotten. for what you have done scott3270, but having read your last thread I dont believe you did anything wrong there either! Edited by bobbyhelmet
09/10/2011 02:47 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Moe, that's great! I'm also reminded...that we never found my dad's USAF medals. Where did they go?  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1116 Posts |
yes I do get that warm feeling chris I know it's the right thing to do and tim I am sincere in that statement if I wasn't I wouldn't be returning it nobody is making me return it I'm choosing to because I know it's the right thing to do thanks again everyone
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Valued Member
United States
372 Posts |
Just FYI, the Medal of Honor is the only medal that is illegal for sale/barter/trade/etc. The stolen valor act was enacted to stop people from falsely claiming they were awarded something when they were not. Bobby, ebay is misinterpreting the law and decided to ban a whole bunch of stuff when there was no need to. Please refer to the quote from purplehearts.net that says: The Stolen Valor Act does not affect the buying and selling of medals among legitimate dealers and collectors. While ebay's prohibition was based on the erroneous belief that such transaction might be illegal, they are, after all, a privately held corporation, and may ban anything they wish. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a very nice gesture to ensure the medal got to the family, but don't forget sometimes the family are the ones who got rid of them in the first place. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
ebay ban so much stuff people often dont have a clue how to interpret the listing warnings that pop up. Quote:
but don't forget sometimes the family are the ones who got rid of them in the first place I agree with this. When my grandfathers WWI British War Medal was sent to him it had someone elses name on it, it never bothered him. He said he "deserved more but expected less".
Edited by bobbyhelmet
09/10/2011 10:06 pm
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Replies: 31 / Views: 4,444 |
Posted 09/09/2011 06:38 am
