Lost WWII medals of an American hero are now with the veteran’s family in Bainbridge Island, WA. Purple Hearts Reunited rescued the medals two years ago and enlisted the help of the group Fundamentals of Genealogy to help track down the relatives of PVT Berlin Edward Small. Through this return, Berlin’s service to our country will forever have a place in our nation’s history.

PVT Berlin Edward Small (SN: 39229302) was born on 02 November 1913 in Texas to George Benjamin and Gussie A. Small. He enlisted in the Army on 10 March 1941, and was assigned to Company H, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. He served honorably in World War II, earning two Bronze Star medals, a Purple Heart (for wounds received in February 1944), Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge for his service. He survived the war and spent his remaining time in California, passing away in Alameda, CA on 10 June 1993.

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In 2013, Purple Hearts Reunited discovered and rescued two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, and a Good Conduct Medal belonging to PVT Small on eBay for $20.00.

After extensive research with the help of Fundamentals of Genealogy, Purple Hearts Reunited was able to locate Berlin’s closest relative—a nephew, Mike Baggett, of Bainbridge Island, WA. Baggett had no idea how his uncle’s medals would have ended up on eBay but is extremely grateful for the return. The framed medals will forever have a home with PVT Small’s family.

This return was sponsored by a grant from the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation.

 

Find out more about this medal return:
Kitsap Sun >> WWII Medals Returned to Soldier’s Family
WSB-TV 2 >> WWII Medals Found on eBay Returned to Soldier’s Family
ABC 7 >> WWII Medals Found on eBay Returned to Soldier’s Family in Washington