1LT James Merle Yates was born 12 February 1921.  He later commissioned into the U.S. Army Air Corps and became a pilot. He was shot down during his service and received the Purple Heart.  He unfortunately passed in March of 1983.

His Purple Heart recently turned up in a Pawn Shop in Cabot, Arkansas. The owner of the shop, Cindy Boggs, and her friend, Annita Plummer, knew the medal didn’t belong there and set out to return it.

With the help of Purple Hearts Reunited,  his son, Mr. Thomas O. Yates was located.