Purple Heart Returned To World War II Hero's Family On Long Island
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island family has been reunited with a long-lost Purple Heart.
The medal was award to Staff Sgt. Arnold Haapala, originally from Elmont, who was killed in the invasion of Normandy during World War II.
A man bought the medal at an estate sale in Connecticut and gave it to his congressman whose staff tracked down Haapala's family in East Meadow.
"It stands for a man who gave the ultimate -- his life -- for our country," Haapala's niece, Carol Pacifico, told CBS 2.
The medal had been held by Haapala's widow until she recently died and her estate was sold.
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