Jerry Moore, who also served in the Army, received his brother's Purple Heart more than two decades after it was submitted to the state treasurer's office in 20011. "My brother was very proud of his military service, and it is very nice to have this Purple Heart back in the family," Jerry Moore told Illinois.gov21.

Holliger expressed disbelief at holding the medal. "I cannot believe I am holding my grandfather's Purple Heart," she said, according to Now Decatur1. "He was very proud of his service, and it showed through all of his work with the veterans back home."

Frerichs emphasized the veteran's sacrifice during the ceremony. "Private Moore defended democracy during some of the fiercest battles of WW II," he said21. "It is an honor to finally return his Purple Heart to his loving family."

Private Moore survived the 1944 D-Day invasion but was wounded weeks later by shrapnel that struck his right wrist, left knee and lower right leg12. Despite nerve damage that diminished the use of his hand and led to additional hospitalizations, the 20-year-old soldier returned to combat on the front lines, including battles in the Rhineland2.

After returning to Illinois in 1946, Moore settled in Peoria and worked various jobs including carpentry, roofing, truck driving, and postal work before retiring in 19862. The war injuries caused him chronic pain, particularly in his legs, according to family members2. He remained active in military organizations in Peoria Heights and East Peoria until his death from a heart attack in 2002 at age 7812.

The Purple Heart program addresses a persistent challenge: military medals are among the most difficult items to return because neither the Armed Forces nor the federal government maintains a comprehensive list of awardees1. These medals often end up in the state treasurer's unclaimed property division after being left in forgotten safe deposit boxes2.

"I cannot believe I am holding my grandfather's Purple Heart," Holliger said3.