MARION — Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and other military medals to the family of late Army Pvt. Stephen J. Grabowski during a ceremony at VFW Post 1301 in Marion, marking the 16th return under Operation Purple Heart. Grabowski, a Chicago native wounded during Operation Grapeshot in Italy in 1945, lived at Hines VA Hospital until his death in 1974. The medals, found in an unclaimed safe deposit box, were accepted by his grand-niece Chrystal Cantrell on behalf of the family.
