While Installing Pacemaker, Doctors Find Shrapnel That Wounded WWII Vet
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A 94-year old World War II veteran who received his Purple Heart 70 years late this August underwent surgery recently, and doctors found a piece of the shrapnel that wounded him.
Emanuel Mark was a Latvian immigrant who became an American citizen and enlisted in the Army in World War II.
He was made a radioman, and during combat in Northern France, he was shot in the chest on Sept. 17, 1944.
He was awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries, but didn't receive the actual medal until 70 years later.
A few weeks later, he had surgery to install a pacemaker, and doctors found a piece of the shrapnel from that battle in France -- exactly 70 years to the day after he was wounded.
"Obviously, he was very surprised to hear that," said Capt. Zachariah Fike, of the group Purple Hearts Reunited, which works to find lost or stolen military medals, to make sure they are given to the veterans who earned them. He said, in some rare cases, they find medals that were not presented to the veterans who earned them.
Fike presented Mark with his Purple Heart on Mark's 94th birthday in August.
"It was one of the most enjoyable returns I've ever conducted. His family was great. He was wonderful. He still is wonderful. I feel like he's a brother in arms. I hope he lives another 20 years," Fike said. "Just walking in the room, you can tell he changes people. He's just full of energy, and his story should be told, and people should know who he is, because he's an American hero."