Family Gets Back Lost Purple Heart Award

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – Military awards and medals are important keepsakes for most families.

Once in a while, one gets misplaced and Tennessee Department of Treasury tries to get them back to family.

That’s what happened to a purple heart awarded to Chattanoogan Claude Parris in 1945 after the battle of the bulge in Europe.

It was in a safe deposit box that was abandoned at First Volunteer Bank.

One thing led to another and it ended up in the Treasurer’s office.

Judy Cartwright of 1st Volunteer Banks says “Our employees distinctively remember remember finding that purple heart in the box, and despite many failed attempts to locate our customer, we were unable to do so and it was a very sad time when we turned it over to the state of Tennessee.”

Tennessee Department of Treasury’s David Lilliard adds, “This is the first military medal we’ve been able to return the family of a veteran. We have other medals we are holding that we’re still attempting to link up with the proper people, I’m sure there will be further presentations in the future.”

The medal was returned to Claude’s grandsons, Charles and Freddie Parris..as several state elected officials looked on.