US Army Private Paul B. Heintz KIA grouping, WW2

[Nische]

This small grouping, Purple Heart and ribbon bars, was given to me by my grandmother I'm guessing when I was about 10 years old. (early 1980's) It's been an honor to possess these medals of a young man who was killed in action somewhere in the Pacific theater.

At time of death, he was 20 years old and assigned to the 172nd Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division. He was laid to rest at the Manilla American Cemetery, Philippines.

[Nische]

Photo 2

[Nische]

Photo 3

[Nische]

The Manilla American Cemetery was kind enough to provide to me a photo of his gravesite.

[Nische]

As a follow-up, I conducted some research with the help of my local library and was able to find out that two of his sisters (one age 86, and the other 90) are still alive.

I then contacted the granddaughter of one of his sisters and arranged a return of his medals to the family. We exchanged these at a local restaurant, and they provided me with his photo. Taken in the same year he went off to war in the Pacific.

I was in possession of these medals for almost 35 years, never knowing who the man was. I'm so happy that I was able to return these to his family.

[sunny59]

Can't imagine the emotions of both sister and yourself.
You always be proud of your action, you are a men of honor,
Loosing a brother so young left and empty ness hard to swallow
Thank you for sharing this.
Paul will thank you for thiis.....

[Alan Smith]

How did your grandmother end up with the medals to begin with? Under what circumstances did the medals leave the KIA's family?

Just curious.

[Nische]

Thank you for your kind words Sunny.

And a great question Alan. Sadly I don't have an answer on just how my grandmother came into possession of this soldier's medals. I'm certain she told me, long, long ago, but I was probably too enamored by the medals themselves to remember the story.