David Barth talks about the Purple Heart display at the Ottawa County Museum. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

Thanks to the efforts of David Barth, the Ottawa County Museum was designated as a Purple Heart Trail Museum in January, 2023. The core of that designation is honoring local Purple Heart recipients at the museum.

Barth, a museum board member, has created a database of Ottawa County Purple Heart recipients, but he needs help locating all of them in the county. Purple Heart status is not public record, so he must rely on the recipients or their family members to provide their names.

This Purple Heart, which is on display at the Ottawa County Museum, was presented to PFC Leonard C. Martin, who served in the Army during World War II. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“The family must provide me with names. It’s not my place to reach out to them,” Barth said. “I want people to know we’re here and still interested in honoring Purple Heart recipients.”

The Purple Heart is awarded to military members who are injured or killed in combat. The military decoration recognizes and honors the physical sacrifice of service. It is available to military service members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. More information on eligibility requirements can be found at https://www.military.com/history/military-heroes/purple-heart.

Barth created a Purple Heart display at the Ottawa County Museum that includes a physical database of his ongoing list of local recipients. Museum guests are welcome to peruse the book.

This list of Ottawa County Purple Heart recipients is on display at the Ottawa County Museum. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Anyone wishing to have the name of an Ottawa County Purple Heart recipient added to the book can contact Barth. He can provide an application form by mail or email. He is happy to include as much information in the book as possible to create a clearer story of the recipient.

“If they have photos, that’s good. If they have documents, that’s good,” he said. “One woman provided letters that showed the progression of her father’s internment. The battle lines moved so quickly during the war that sometimes the men were temporarily interned.”

David Barth is looking for more Ottawa County Purple Heart recipients to honor. Here, he stands at the Purple Heart display at the Ottawa County Museum. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

The Purple Heart was established in 1932, but it was made retroactive to 1917. So local residents who have family members who earned a Purple Heart all the way back to WWI are welcome to reach out to Barth. Adding the names of Purple Heart recipients who are still living would be an exceptional honor.

“Once these folks pass, a part of our history will be gone,” Barth said.

The Ottawa County Museum is located at 123 W. Third St. in Port Clinton. Barth can be reached at 419-357-2057 or drb360@gmail.com.