The long lost WWI Purple Heart for PFC Joseph Conrad Gilbers was donated to the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum located at 1315 Chestnut, St. Louis, MO 63103.

Private First Class (PFC) Joseph Conrad Gilbers was born 26 October 1892 in St. Louis, Missouri to Bernard C. Gilbers and Gertrude Knester Stephen. Joseph’s siblings were Anna (Gilbers) Becker, Rose (Gilbers) Lusch, Leonard Gilbers and Mary (Gilbers) Wigge. He was married to Grace M. Boos sometime between 1920 and 1930.

PFC Gilbers first served as a Private in Company A, 1^st Infantry Regiment in the Missouri National Guard and participated in the Mexican Border Campaign in 1916. PFC Gilbers then enlisted to serve in WWI on 30 March 1917.  He served with Company A, 138^th Infantry Regiment, 35^th Infantry Division.  During combat operations in France, he was Wounded in Action and later awarded Purple Heart #50707.  He was discharged on 29 May 1919.

PFC Gilbers died 10 October 1954 and is buried in Jefferson Barracks Cemetery in Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri.  His wife Grace died 24 August 1986 and is also buried in Jefferson Barracks Cemetery.

His family (Adopted Daughter) requested that his medal be bestowed to the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum.

The medal was rescued by the organization through an online purchase from a collector.