Name/Title
Purple Heart of Charles BonnessDescription
A purple and gold heart-shaped medal with the likeness of George Washington on the front. The back of the Purple Heart reads "For Military Merit Ensign Charles J. Bonness, S1c USN," and the medal hangs from a purple and white ribbon.
The medal came in the original purple leather box with white silk and purple velvet linings.Use
Purple Hearts are presented to servicemembers who are injured in the line of duty.Context
Earned by Charles "Chuck" Bonness for his naval service. Charles Bonness was a seaman 2/c class aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-5) and a rear-gunner aboard an SBD Dauntless in Scouting Squadron Five (VS-5). Bonness was reported missing in action after the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 8, 1942.Collection
Charles Bonness CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2025.4Source or Donor
Kaellah FowlerAcquisition Method
DonationUpdate Date
April 22, 2025