SAN ANTONIO – A second Purple Heart found in South Texas within a month was returned to the son of the recipient.
“It is unheard of -- two Purple Heart medals have been found and returned the same month,” said Tony Roman, the local chapter commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Roman said one of his members had found the medal at a garage sale. It was engraved with the name Manuel F. Castillo, a World War II veteran from Port Lavaca.
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Castillo’s Purple Heart was returned to his son, Richard, during a ceremony at the Purple Heart Memorial outside the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center.
Richard Castillo said he believes the Purple Heart was taken while his family was away from their home during a hurricane evacuation.
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“My big brother couldn’t make it today. I’m picking it up for him because he’s the oldest in the family. He deserves to have it and just pass it on in the family," Richard Castillo said.