Onstead, MI WTVB - 7^th District Michigan Republican Congressman Tim Walberg has presented the family of Private First Class Frank P. Durkee of Onsted with a posthumous Purple Heart and World War I Victory Medal. The ceremony this week at the Onsted American Legion Post recounted how Durkee was killed in action 94 years ago while serving with the American Expeditionary Forces inFrance.

Private Durkee was a member of Company B, 126^th Infantry Regiment, 32^nd Infantry Division, when he was sent ahead of the division and close to enemy lines in hopes of gaining valuable information on the location of enemy troops. He retrieved the necessary information and was on his way back to camp when hit by a sniper’s bullet. Durkee died from his wounds three days later after delivering the information his commanders sought. He was just 22 years old when he gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Congressman Walbeg said not only was he willing to leave the comforts of home to fight for freedom, but he was also willing to risk everything to help his brigade advance.