During a ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity returned a Purple Heart Medal to James Morgan, the son of the late Ray Alvin Morgan, a U.S. Army veteran wounded during the Vietnam War. The event took place on August 7, which is recognized as Purple Heart Day in honor of veterans who have received the medal.
Treasurer Garrity was joined by Senator Chris Gebhard (R-48) and Representative JoAnne Stehr (R-107) for the presentation. The medal had come into the custody of the Treasury as part of an unclaimed property report in 2023 and had been kept in the department’s vault until it could be returned.
“It’s a true honor to return this Purple Heart today to Ray Morgan’s family, and it’s an extra special moment to get to do this on Purple Heart Day,” Treasurer Garrity said. “As a Veteran myself, every military decoration return is near and dear to my heart. This Purple Heart is a piece of Ray’s story, a story that includes the bravery he demonstrated and the sacrifices he and his family made during the Vietnam War. Returning this medal is a way to express our gratitude and appreciation for Ray’s service.”
Ray Morgan served from November 29, 1965, until October 19, 1967, with Company A, 4th Supply and Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. He was wounded in Vietnam and discharged after his injury. The Purple Heart Medal was given to him while he recovered at Valley Forge Hospital.
In addition to the Purple Heart Medal, James Morgan also received his father’s Vietnam Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
“My father’s military medals were submitted to the Pennsylvania State Treasurer’s Office for safekeeping and returned from a forgotten safe deposit box as part of the unclaimed property program,” James Morgan said. “These medals personify honor, sacrifice, duty of service to our country. I am honored to have his medals returned to me on National Purple Heart Day at Fort Indiantown Gap where I am also employed. Treasury’s Vault Manager Lori Hetrick contacted me regarding returning my father, Ray Alvin Morgan’s, Purple Heart. It was a very emotional conversation. I am grateful that our state treasurer has an unprecedented mission to return Purple Hearts and other service medals to their rightful owners or their family.”
Senator Gebhard commented on the significance of returning these items: “Today’s return of Private First-Class Ray Morgan’s Purple Heart and other military medals is more than a simple gesture – it’s a powerful act of remembrance and honor,” Senator Gebhard said. “These decorations represent the courage, sacrifice and patriotism of a true American hero. I thank Treasurer Garrity and her team for restoring a meaningful piece of military history back into the hands of Ray’s family.”
Purple Heart Day has been observed nationally since 2014 on August 7th—the anniversary of George Washington creating its predecessor award in 1782—and recognizes those wounded or killed by enemy action.
The Treasury continues efforts to reunite families with lost military honors; since taking office Treasurer Garrity has returned over five hundred military decorations—including thirteen Purple Hearts—to veterans or their relatives. Currently nearly five hundred such items remain in Treasury’s care after being found mainly among abandoned safe deposit boxes.
“As Pennsylvania’s Treasurer, I protect our state’s finances, but one of the best parts of the job isn’t about the money at all, it’s moments like today when I can reunite a piece of a Veteran’s story with their family,” said Treasurer Garrity. “I assure you; we will never stop looking for Veterans who earned the military decorations in our care or their families.”
Information about unclaimed military decorations held by Pennsylvania Treasury can be searched at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property/medals.
