MOBILE, Alabama — This holiday season, Josh Harley’s wish is to return several Army medals to their rightful owner.
In late November, Harley purchased the medals at a Mobile auction with the sole purpose of trying to find their owner.
“People have said I’m crazy to pay $50 just to try to get these medals back,” said Harley, “but me paying $50 for these medals is insignificant if that’s what it costs me to try to get it back.”
Harley said this is the first military memorabilia he has purchased at auction; he usually gravitates toward pre-World War I metal toys and autographed items that he can re-sell.
But the Purple Heart in the shadowbox collection of medals caught his attention.
“I have family in different branches of the service so I’m familiar with awards,” said Harley. “You have to have been wounded in a war to get the Purple Heart.”
