Local WWII veteran's Purple Heart returned to family 82 years after it was first awarded

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The Illinois Treasurer's Office has returned another missing Purple Heart, this time to the family of a late World War II veteran from the northwest suburbs.

It's the 11th Purple Heart returned under Treasurer Michael Frerichs 2021 program called Operation Purple Heart.

"These are valuables that were sitting in a bank deposit box,” Frerichs said. “We protect them until we can get them back into the rightful hands of family members.”

The latest medal has been returned to the family of Jerome Even of Park Ridge. He was awarded the Purple Heart in 1942 for his service during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

"He was on guard duty with some fellow soldiers,” Even’s son Jim said. “Explosions started. My father was wounded during that attack, but it wasn't enough of a wound to be able to keep him out of military service, and he served for five more years.”

"We assumed the safety deposit box was empty, so nothing happened from there,” said Even’s son Jim.

He said 10 years later he received calls from a dozen people who had seen coverage of one of the treasurer's news conferences. Even said it's brought his family closer together.

"It's a big deal in our family now,” Even said. “This one act created everyone talking about honoring people who served, and just bringing back memories. It was wonderful, and it's ongoing because I'm still meeting with people.”

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