INCREDIBLE, one of a kind item found at a thrift store! Military!

[planejet42]

Yesterday, I went to a local thrift store to look around and see what they had. I got there a little before they closed and just had enough time to look around. All the way at the end of a row of glass display cases I saw a box marked "Purple Heart". I didn't have to time to investigate or purchase it. I couldn't sleep that night because curiosity was burning inside me. I ended up going back today, (12-3-12), and purchased it for $6.56!!!! The Purple Heart dates from WWII, but that's not the best part. On the back of the Purple Heart was a name. When I got home I quickly looked up the name on the internet and came up with a ton of information. The soldiers name, which was engraved on the back, was Frank J. Gmeiner. It turns out he was born on March 22, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio (the city I live in) and was K.I.A. on December 10, 1944 in France. That alone was enough to make me incredibly pleased with my purchase. I did more research and found a couple pictures of the young soldier and learned what regiment and division he belonged to. I then looked to find out what battles were taking place in France at the time of his death. I came up with "The Battle of Sigolsheim" which began on December 9th, 1944 and carried on for a few days to my understanding. The date of his death and the date the battle match up, so I believe he was killed then. I now feel it is my duty to return this treasure to the family members. It may take a long time, but in the end I completely believe it will be worth it. Some things that make me scratch my head are why it would be at a thrift shop in the first place? Was it stolen from the family? Is it a lost piece of their heritage? I would doubt the family would have donated it because of the fact that it is part of their history and that it also has the man's full name on it. I plan on going down to probate court and try to search through old records to try to get some contact numbers for family members. Please wish me luck in this long, but incredibly interesting journey. If anyone has and tips or ideas PLEASE comment. Thanks.

 

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[Bev]

You can use this free site also for family research: https://familysearch.org/ You can register but there's no fees.

 

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[Jim of PA]

If by chance you cannot find any living relatives take it to cemetery and place it upon his grave. If you are able. Good Luck

 

[spitfire55]

Way to go Planetjet42 and thank you for that recovery.
BosnMate hit the nail on the head with his direction to get with the "Military Order of the Purple Heart" organization.
They will covet the decoration for as long as it takes and until some kin to the deceased veteran can be located.
Another suggestion is to donate it to a Military Museum.

 

[TheMcs]

You can check togetherweserved.com for info - but like someone stated above his relatives are likely gone. That's what's sad about a lot of our KIAs, they're young men with no heirs, who become that uncle that's talked about once in a while, and then a forgotten name.
You'd be surprised what family will sell. Years ago when ebay was cool, I bought a man's medals from his son. They included my fraternities Society of the Seventeen medal (very rare, limited to 17 living members), and all his WWII medals & ribbons. Since the man was a well known alumni, I donated all of it to the Nat'l HQ.
If nothing else, gather as much of this warrior's story (good job so far!) and put it in a shadow box. Present it to the local VFW or AL hall. Even your town museum. That way his name can live on.
Thank you for having this hero's six.

 

[TheMcs]

Name: Frank J Gmeiner
Birth Year: 1922
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Ohio
State of Residence: Ohio
County or City: Cuyahoga

Enlistment Date: 9 Feb 1943
Enlistment State: Ohio
Enlistment City: Fort Hayes Columbus
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life

Education: 3 years of high school
Civil Occupation: Machine shop and related occupations, n.e.c.
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 67
Weight: 167

Military headstone application
View attachment Gneimer-FrankJ.bmp

PFC Gneimer appears in several other Ancestry.com records. I can try to find a relatively direct desecendent and send them a message if you wish.

 

[Mackaydon]

Another suggestion: Contact the cemetery, tell them your story and ask for next of kin information.

 

[SCdigger]

Wow...you know what really hits me about the image of the headstone application...someone mentioned his dad was also named Frank. The "signature of applicant" is Frank Gneimer...I just couldn't imaging having to sign this document of my 22 year old son...

 

[maxpower]

[TD="class: title weight"]Age[/TD]
[TD="class: info"] 14, born abt 1926 [/TD]

[TD="class: title weight"]Birthplace[/TD]
[TD="class: info, colspan: 2"] Ohio [/TD]

[TD="class: title weight"]Gender[/TD]
[TD="class: info, colspan: 2"] Male [/TD]

[TD="class: title weight"]Race[/TD]
[TD="class: info, colspan: 2"] White [/TD]

[TD="class: title weight homeLocation"]Home in 1940[/TD]
[TD="class: info, colspan: 2"] E 48th Street
Cleveland,
Cuyahoga, Ohio
[/TD]

48

46

18

14

9 from the 1940's census his youngest brother would be around 81 now, could still be alive.

[TD="class: title weight homeMembers"]Household Members[/TD]

[TD="class: title weight age"]Age[/TD]

[TD="class: title"]Head[/TD]
[TD="class: info"] Frank Gmeiner [/TD]

[TD="class: title"]Wife[/TD]
[TD="class: info"] Nettie Gmeiner [/TD]

[TD="class: title"]Son[/TD]
[TD="class: info"] Frank Gmeiner [/TD]

[TD="class: title"]Son[/TD]
[TD="class: info"] Charles Gmeiner [/TD]

[TD="class: title"]Son[/TD]
[TD="class: info"] Edward Gmeiner [/TD]

 

[19cbb]

his youngest brother would be around 81 now, could still be alive.

Looks like Edward Gmeiner died in 2000.

 

[maxpower]

yes it appears he did and his Brother Charles passed away the year before, too bad i'd bet they'd be tickled pink to receive their brothers purple heart.

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

That's a cool find. I hope you find the info you're looking for.

to maxpower: awesome name, now I have stuck in my head Homer singing "Max Power- It's the name you'd love to touch, but you must not touch..."

 

[Sir Gala Clad]

If it is not possible to find any living relatives, it possibly could be enshrined in a military museum, especially if they have an exhibit on the battles thought.
It is shocking that any charitable organization would of have items such as this on their shelf for sale! Thank you for your efforts and sharing. Sir Gala Clad salutes you.

 

[DCMatt]

I always use the Military forums and Ancestry to locate relatives of items of Military. Do his family tree on Ancestry.com if he was married you can pull his children's birth records. And give it to a descendent who cares. It may have been stolen and sold for cash or the family may have gotten rid of it either way there will be a family researcher grandchild or someone who would love the information and Purple Heart of their brave family member . I would love to find things like this on my family. I collect all I can on The Texas Lost Battalion and the Battan Death march because I have a Uncle who was a member of the Texas Lost Battalion and walked the death march.

My father-in-law passed away in April of this year. He fought in WWII with the 442nd (most decorated unit in Army history) in Italy and was wounded twice. His medals were stolen from his house in Long Beach, CA many years ago. I'd love to have them back. Good luck with your search.

DCMatt

 

[dejapooh]

Another place to go with the medals if you can not find living relatives would be the high school that he attended. It could be a great permanent display.

 

[cahil_2]

Sometimes local VFW's have historical displays, so if you don't locate the family you could donate it to them and they will show it the proper respect that it deserves.

 

[Curious The George]

Pick up a phone and call the funeral home that is named in the details.

 

[Mainelypulltab]

Thank you for your kindness and wisdom, I appreciate it. Wow, you have many great suggestions. If you can find a family member who will look you in the eye and assure you the Medal will not end up in the trash or in the thrift store, great. If not, the Military Order of The Purple Heart has a museum down by West Point. I am sure they would find a fitting spot where many Americans will see how one great American sacrificed his life so they may enjoy their freedoms. USMC Retired. Semper Fidelis!

 

[ckrakowski]

i had a similar experience once. i also found a purple heart in a thrift store but unfortunately my sister said i could not buy it and i left it. i have always regretted that decision. i feel like no military medals let alone a purple heart should end up in a thrift store.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

PurpleHeartsReunited@hotmail.com 315-523-3609. This is the contact info for a group that specializes in returning Purple Hearts to families.

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

A named Purple Heart at a thrift shop , that's WRONG , what a shame P Hearts for those KIA are not to be sold but unfortunately these sell for hundred of dollars to military collectors . To take the time to properly return this prestegious medal is amazing. It just reinforces the fact that that we never should never forget these fallen and wounded heroes .

CMD