Finding Her Father's Lost WWII Medals
🕓 Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes Overview For decades, Kathy Reines harbored a singular, deeply personal quest: to recover the military medals awarded to her father, Robert M. Reines, for his extraordinary service during World War II. These were not just pieces of metal, but tangible symbols of his bravery, sacrifice, and a profound connection to her family history that had been lost to time and circumstance. Her relentless search, spanning over 40 years, culminated in an emotional reunion with the very honors her father had earned, including the prestigious Purple Heart and Silver Star. This narrative underscores the enduring significance of military honors and the lengths to which descendants will go to preserve the legacy of their forebears. Background & Context Robert M. Reines, Kathy's father, was a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Serving as a radio operator on a B-17 bomber, he was part of the 8th Air Force, 92nd Bomb Group, 327th B...