DECATUR –Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced he has returned a Purple Heart medal belonging to a late World War II Marine from Decatur to the veteran’s daughter.
U.S. Marine Corps Private First-Class Delbert G. Tuttle earned the medal, along with the Silver Star, for wounds he suffered during the Battle of Saipan in the Pacific Theater on June 15, 1944.
“Private First Class Tuttle put aside his own wounds so that he could help his fellow combatants take a battleground that was key to ushering in the end of the Second World War,” Frerichs said. “No matter the passage of time, his bravery and sacrifice shall never be forgotten, especially as we return this Purple Heart to his family.”
Carolyn Peckham, Tuttle’s daughter, accepted the Purple Heart from Frerichs during a small, private ceremony at the World War II Memorial outside the Decatur Civic Center on October 29.
Peckham said that her father never spoke about his service and was emotional while accepting the medal.
Tuttle was a member of F Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Division in the early days of the Battle of Saipan, according to the state treasurer’s office. He was near the front lines, delivering ammunition and directing the fire of tanks against the enemy. Tuttle initially was wounded in the right shoulder, but refused an order to leave the line, according to military records.
A second wound during that day’s battle forced him to the rear. Tuttle also had shrapnel in both legs. Later, he was discharged as a result of his injuries on November 2, 1945, and returned stateside with the rank of Corporal.
Tuttle also fought in the Battle of Tarawa in November 1943 and the Battle of Okinawa in April 1945.
Frerichs gave Peckham the military award as part of Operation Purple Heart, an initiative of the state treasurer’s office to return lost medals of those who served in the military. Frerichs has returned 12 Purple Heart medals to soldiers or their families so far.
“I can’t say enough about what a special thing this is for the Treasurer’s Office to go the extra mile to find the recipients of the Purple Hearts,” said State Rep. Sue Scherer of Decatur, who was part of the ceremony. “I can’t even imagine how touched Carolyn must be to actually have this Purple Heart back in her family’s possession.”
Frerichs launched Operation Purple Heart in November 2021, seeking the public’s help to return the medals, including the one that belonged to Tuttle. Each of the Purple Heart medals was inside a safe deposit box that a bank determined was abandoned after several years. By state law, the contents were turned over to the State Treasurer’s Office.
Purple Heart medals are among the most difficult items to return because neither the armed forces nor the federal government maintain a comprehensive list of awardees, the state treasurer’s office said. The office is responsible for safeguarding unclaimed property until it can be returned to the owners or heirs.