Akron Beacon Journal: Lost 'Purple Heart' returns to Wayne County sibling of Vietnam War hero

It was a bittersweet reunion.

The family of Curtis Patton always wondered what happened to his medals from Vietnam, but so many years had passed since his death on the battlefield that they simply moved on.

Patton was killed in Vietnam along with 21 other soldiers in fierce fighting in 1968.

He was listed as MIA for several weeks before the military could recover his body along with others hastily buried in a mass grave while the fighting raged on.

Patton was just 26 when he died, leaving behind a young wife. His family lived in a small Virginia coal town where he grew up.

The years passed by and his family eventually lost touch with his wife.

And then around Memorial Day this year, the family got an unexpected call.

It was from the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.

CLICK HERE to read the full story in the Akron Beacon Journal.