April
3, 2007
MISSING
MEDAL OF FREEDOM RECOVERED
Robert D. Grant,
Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) announced today that a Medal of Freedom that has been
missing since April of 1970, was recently recovered by the FBI.
The medal in question was originally produced for presentation to Captain
James A. Lovell Jr., Commander of the Apollo XIII space mission. A slight
defect was detected in the medal prior to the presentation ceremony and
a replacement medal was manufactured. The defective medal was to be destroyed,
however, it apparently found it's way out of the White House and eventually
into the hands of a private collector in Pennsylvania.
Earlier this year, Captain Lovell learned that the defective medal was
being offered for sale on eBay. Concerned about the propriety of the auction
and the potential negative effect it might have on the medal as well as
other recipients of the award, Captain Lovell contacted the Chicago FBI.
Investigation by the cyber crimes unit identified the seller and led to
the recovery of the medal, late last month. The authenticity of the recovered
medal has been verified by the White House. The medal presented to captain
Lovell in 1970 is still in his possession.
No arrests have been made and no charges filed in connection with the
recovery of the medal, although investigation into this matter is still
ongoing.
Established in 1945, the Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian
award, which recognizes exceptional meritorious service. Additional information
about the Medal of Freedom is available on-line at www.medaloffreedom.com.
EDITOR's NOTE: The recovered Medal of Freedom will be available for display
to the media, later today. Call the Chicago FBI's Press Office at (312)
829-1199 to schedule an interview.
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