On 23 April 2016 at 3pm, a long lost WWII Purple Heart was returned to the family of WWII hero PFC Woodrow W. Grubb.  The ceremony took place at American Legion Post 75 at 500 Fond Du Lac Avenue, Fond Du Lac, WI 54935.

Private First Class Woodrow Wilson Grubb (SN: 908118) was born on 17 October 1916 to John William and Minnie Fletcher Grubb in Humboldt, Illinois.  He had three brothers, Wayne (WWII Army Veteran), Sterling, and Lewis (WWII Navy Veteran).   He would later enlist on 15 October 1943 to serve in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.  Called to serve in WWII, he was assigned to the 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.  PFC Grubb was Killed in Action during the last day of fighting on 09 July 1944 in Saipan.

The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June–9 July 1944.  PFC Grubb fought alongside some great Marines, to include Academy Award-winning actor Lee Marvin, who served in the same unit and was wounded himself just 8 days after PFC Grubb sacrificed his life.

The medal was discovered by the Rochester, Pennsylvania VFW Chaplain, who quickly reached out to Purple Hearts Reunited for help in tracking down the family.

The medal was returned to his brother Lewis Melvin Grubb’s Daughter, Woodrow’s Niece, Mrs. Phyllis Grubb England.

Returning the medal on behalf of Purple Hearts Reunited was Valor Guard member, Mr. Michael Brennan, a Veteran and Gold Star Father from Madison, Wisconsin.