The DeMaso family discovered their father and grandfather, Eugene DeMaso, was a decorated war hero who was awarded many medals, including a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service during World War II. However, records show he never received them. DeMaso passed away 30 years ago, but his son, Eugene DeMaso and wife Miranda, contacted Congressman Adam Kinzinger’s office to rectify the elder Eugene DeMaso’s achievements going unheralded.

“My father passed 30 years ago, and we didn’t even know the extent of his military service until (Miranda) started doing Ancestry.com,” Eugene said. “He would never talk about his service or all of the medals he received. I remember seeing the shrapnel on him when he passed.”