TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- LaVern Broughton was 11-years-old when his Brother Kenneth was killed in World War II. Thursday morning, more than 66 years later, he finally received his brother’s Purple Heart.
Broughton contacted Robin Ray, a war researcher out of California, back in 2010. After more than a year or research, Ray traced Kenneth’s Purple Heart to a medal collector on the east coast. After obtaining the medal, Ray flew into Traverse City to surprise Broughton.
“It just means everything to me. Because of my brother and the early childhood we had together, it’s hard for me to talk about. I’m really emotional about it,” said Broughton.
Kenneth Broughton was killed fighting in Iwo Jima on March 8, 1945. His military picture still hangs high at his younger brother’s house in Traverse City. Now, LaVern has something to decorate the picture with. A Purple Heart.
