On 23 December 2015 at 2:00pm, the lost Purple Heart of WWII Hero Private George Robert Kenney was returned to his Godchildren and bestowed to the Rutland Vermont Historical Society for permanent display. The presentation occurred at the Rutland Historical Society Museum located at 96 Center Street, Rutland, VT.

PVT George Robert “Bob” Kenney (SN: 31456605) was born 09 August 1915 to Lowell D. and Lola Kofoed Kenney in Rutland, Vermont. He later enlisted in the United States Army on 20 March 1944 at Fort Devins, Massachusetts and served in WWII. As an Infantryman, he served with Alpha Company, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. He was Wounded in Action on 08 November 1944. PVT Kenney survived the war and returned home to Rutland, marrying his wife Grace Melissa Moore Kenney. He later passed on 17 February 1997. He is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Rutland, VT.

The medal was discovered by Michelle A. Corse of the Thomas Hirchak Auction Company in Morrisville, VT. They quickly turned to Purple Hearts Reunited for help in locating the family. It was determined that all of PVT Kenney’s direct family is no longer living, but several of his Godchildren are.

Jody Guimond, PVT Kenney’s Goddaughter, received the medal. Guimond and her husband own the Tossing Funeral Home in Rutland, VT. In return, they bestowed the medal to the Rutland Historical Society for permanent display. Welcome home, PVT Kenney.

This medal return was sponsored by a grant from the Purple Heart Foundation.

Read more here: Late Vermont Soldier’s WWII Purple Heart Returned