PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The family of a former Kalamazoo Public Schools employee who passed away in 2005 has finally received the Purple Heart he earned in World War II.
Robert “Bob” Burnham, Sr. joined the United States Army in 1943 and completed basic training at Fort Custer. He went on to serve as a member of Battery D of the 548th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, rising to the rank of Corporal.
In 1945, while serving in Germany, Burnham was wounded in action, making him eligible for the Purple Heart, which he never received.
After being contacted by Burnham’s son, Fifth District Congressman Tim Walberg’s constituent services team worked with the appropriate military agencies to locate and secure the Purple Heart.
It was presented to the family at a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Portage Friday morning.
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