North Dakota Family Receives Purple Heart, Quilt of Valor

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BISMARCK, N.D. - The Missouri River Quilts of Valor (MRQV) hosted a ceremony today to recognize a North Dakota family for its military service.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) presented a replacement Purple Heart medal to honor the sacrifice of the family's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Private Franklin Joseph DuFrame, who gave his life in service to the nation in World War II. This replaces a previous Purple Heart awarded to Pvt. DuFrame, which had been lost.

Cramer, a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, presented the Purple Heart medal to Pvt. DuFrame's son, Donald Franklin DuFrame of Lincoln, also a veteran, who enlisted in the Navy Reserve at 18 as a machinist mate 3rd class during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1967. He was based in LPD-1 at Portsmouth, VA. Cramer also presented the family with a flag flown over the United States Capitol in honor of Pvt. DuFrame's heroic service.

"The Purple Heart is a tangible legacy to the heroic service and selfless sacrifice of Franklin DuFrame during WWII," said Cramer. "It was important that we obtain this replacement medal that Franklin earned and Don desperately sought as a tribute and connection to the father he never knew. The medal symbolizes incredible sacrifice, and it is important we never forget the gravity of that sacrifice and ensure that future generations know the real price of freedom."

The ceremony also included the presentation of the Vietnam War Commemorative Lapel Pin to recognize Donald DuFrame's service, and a Quilt of Valor made by MRQV members. A Quilt of Valor is a handmade quilt awarded to a service member or veteran who has been "touched by war."

"I see in this Purple Heart how my dad gave his life for our country and our freedoms," said Donald DuFrame. "This recognition is so overwhelming, and having this medal means a lot to me and my family. I have more information about my dad now than I have had my entire life."

Alice Delzer, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary president and chaplain, delivered the invocation at the event, which was followed by a Posting of the Colors by the AMVETS Post #9 Honor Guard. The event featured opening remarks by MRQV group leader, Arlene Meissel, and Alice Delzer led the attendees in singing "God Bless America."

Donald DuFrame, his daughter, Shananne DuFrame, and his granddaughter, Breeanna DuFrame, attended the ceremony, along with other family members. Breeanna reached out to Cramer's office in June requesting assistance with obtaining a replacement for a lost Purple Heart medal originally awarded to her great-grandfather, Franklin. Breeanna, who is very close to her grandfather, Donald, knew he had been searching for this medal and wanted to help him obtain a replacement.

"I never thought we would have gotten this far and found out as much as we have about Franklin," said Breeanna DuFrame. "My grandpa [Donald DuFrame] is my entire world. I don't know where I would be without him or my mom. I'm so thankful we were able to make this happen for Grandpa. We are so appreciative of everything you and your team have done to make this possible for my grandpa. I cannot express how thankful and grateful I am."

"I am so grateful for everyone that has put efforts into this, and for my dad [Donald DuFrame] to have this opportunity in his lifetime to have something so precious and dear in remembrance of his dad [Franklin DuFrame] and his service and dedication to our freedoms," said Shananne DuFrame. "I am so super proud of my daughter, Breeanna, for pursuing this. We thank you so very much! We've gotten so much more information about my grandpa, when we never thought we'd know much of anything."

Born in August 1920 in Maine, Pvt. Franklin DuFrame served in the U.S. Army, C Company, 10th Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division. He was married to Elma Leona Helman DuFrame, and they had three children.

On March 24, 1945, he was wounded in action and transported to an evacuation hospital in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. Pvt. DuFrame died of his wounds two days later on March 26 at the age of 24. He was temporarily interned at the military cemetery in Stromberg and permanently laid to rest, at his family's request, at the Lorraine American War Cemetery in France.

Prior to Breeanna DuFrame's outreach to Cramer's office, the family knew very little about Pvt. DuFrame's service beyond the date of his death and final resting place. His service records were among those lost in the National Personnel Records Center fire in St. Louis.

Cramer's office received a 44-page copy of the formal report of Franklin's death and a copy of an inventory of his belongings, in addition to correspondence between the Department of the Army, his wife, Elma, and Pvt. DuFrame's father regarding the final resting place for his remains. In addition, a photo of Pvt. DuFrame was added to a Fields of Honor database recognizing fallen American service members, and his grave has been adopted by a local resident who will be responsible for its care and maintenance.

Purple Heart medals are awarded to service members who are wounded or killed because of enemy action in an armed conflict. It is the nation's oldest military honor still awarded today, and was established by then-General George Washington as the Badge of Military Merit in 1782.

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