Secret Compartment Reveals Hidden WWII Purple Heart at Yard Sale

When Betsy Campbell’s mother purchased an old trunk at a yard sale in October 2013 as a gift for her daughter, she had no idea what laid hidden inside. Her daughter Betsy began to go through the trunk and found a secret compartment containing a WWII Purple Heart for Ensign John P. Pierson.Ensign John Perry Pierson (SN: 0-156505) was a Navy Fighter Pilot who was listed MIA on 07 JAN 1946 when his aircraft went down over the Pacific. He was from Stamford, CT.Betsey reached out to Purple Hearts Reunited and they were able to locate Ensign Pierson’s nephew, the son of his sister Mary. The family thought they had the medal and didn’t realize it was in this secret compartment.