World War II Veteran's Stolen Medals Restored

PLYMOUTH, MI – A Purple Heart, Bronze Star, ribbons and badges stolen from a Plymouth World War II veteran were restored Wednesday in a quiet ceremony and luncheon attended by veterans, family and friends.

Henry Malec, 90, was 18 and working in a Detroit factory when he got his draft notice in 1944. He served in Gen. George Patton’s Third Army with the 90th Infantry Division; fought in several major battles, including the Battle of the Bulge; and was present at the surrender of Nazi Germany’s 11th Panzer Division in Czechoslovakia.

The medals were stolen decades ago in a robbery at Malec’s chiropractic clinic in the Warrendale neighborhood of Detroit.

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“I was used to getting robbed, but you don’t think some son of a bitch is going to go and take your medals,” he told The Observer.

“Every now and then I would mention it, the frustration,” he said.

The “lunch bunch,” as he calls them, decided to set things right.

The office of U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-East Lansing, eventually became involved and the commendations were restored.

» You can read more of Henry Malec’s story on hometownlife.com.