Beech Tree News Network

In going through family papers recently I found a copy of the letter my Dad’s (George Warden Romans) family received when he was awarded the Purple Heart during World War II. Since August 7th is Purple Heart Day and Butler County is a Purple Heart community through efforts of VFW Auxiliary #5837 and Butler County Chapter NSDAR I wanted to share this. I am very proud of my Dad’s Military service as well as all those who served and continue to serve in our military.

Attached is a copy of the actual letter and since it was not in great shape I copied it as it appeared. There are several places where the information was omitted because of the timing and sensitive nature of the events.

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
HEADQUARTERS 504TH MILITARY POLICE BATTALION

A.P. O. #758, U.S. Army
14 September 1943

SUBJECT: Award of Purple Heart
TO: All Companies, 504TH, …………………………………

Tech 5th Grade George W. Romans, 3510173, Company ***, ***** Military Police Battalion, is awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received as a result of enemy action during the invasion of Sicily, on *** July 1943 while aboard L.S.T. *******, approximately one hundred (100) feet South of **** *****, *********, Sicily, Corporal Romans received wounds by glancing shrapnel during an enemy air raid on this beach. He was treated by the **** Medical Battalion and returned to duty the same day. Home town at induction, Morgantown, Kentucky. Medal No. 194400.

WILLIAM M. DUNCANSON
Major, C.M.P., Commanding

Article and photo submitted by Georgia Romans, Beech Tree News

****

During the American Revolutionary War, the Badge for Military Merit decorated six known soldiers. Purple Heart Day on August 7 commemorates the creation of the oldest American military decoration for military merit, the Purple Heart and honors the men and women who are of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Created by General George Washington in 1782 to be presented to soldiers for “any singularly meritorious action”, the decoration was a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk bound with a thin edge of silver and the word Merit embroidered in silver across the face.