Sister of WWII soldier gets his long-lost Purple Heart, flag
WESTFIELD, N.J. — A 95-year-old woman whose brother was killed during World War II has received his long-lost Purple Heart and the flag that was used at his burial.
The Purple Hearts Reunited non-profit organization presented the medal to Mildred Stotzer during a ceremony in her room at a retirement home Wednesday in Westfield.
Stotzer’s brother, Master Sgt. Frederick Boelzle, enlisted in the Army in September 1939. He was assigned to Service Company, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.
Boelzle was killed in action in Belgium in December 1944 and was buried in a military cemetery there. The military awards and decorations he received included the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.