In a remarkable twist of fate, a forgotten Purple Heart has sparked a journey across generations and geographies, uniting families and resurrecting stories long thought lost to history. The medal, discovered in a Huntsville, Alabama home, once belonged to Richard “Dick” Milton Paper, a World War II submariner who vanished during the conflict.
Bill Thompson stumbled upon the medal while preparing the residence for sale. The house was previously owned by Kenneth and Betty Irene Green Champagne, both with roots in the Quad-Cities area. Thompson also uncovered Richard Paper’s Navy uniform, additional military decorations, and a letter from President Harry Truman addressing Paper’s family.
The Legacy of Richard Paper
Richard Paper, a submariner on the ill-fated USS Lagarto, disappeared in May 1945 during an operation against Japanese forces. The submarine and its 86-member crew were lost until divers discovered its wreckage in the Gulf of Thailand in 2005. A year later, the U.S. Navy confirmed its identity, revealing that a Japanese minelayer had sunk the vessel.
Paper’s parents, Herb and Fern Paper, adopted Bob Paper in 1945 after their son’s disappearance. Bob reflected on his upbringing, stating, “Although, of course, I never saw Dick Paper, I always thought of him as my brother.”
Betty Green, once engaged to Richard Paper, eventually married Kenneth Champagne. The couple had nine children, and Kenneth went on to work as an engineer at the Redstone Arsenal, contributing to NASA’s historic Saturn V rocket program.
Bridging the Past and Present
Thompson’s discovery led him to contact Jeff Paper, Bob Paper’s son, in Davenport. Jeff, a retiree from the postal service, was deeply moved by the return of his family’s heritage. Thompson plans to send the memorabilia to the Paper family shortly.
The findings also included a trove of autographed photographs from notable figures, such as astronauts John Glenn and Charles “Pete” Conrad, and a signature from German engineer Arthur Rudolph, whose wartime activities later led to his denaturalization in the U.S.
Jeff Paper reminisced about his childhood interactions with the Champagne family, referring to them fondly as “Uncle Kenny and Aunt Betty.” However, it wasn’t until a 2006 article that he learned of Betty’s past engagement to his uncle, Richard Paper.
Bob Paper, who passed away in March 2024, spent his career as a social worker, influenced by his own time in an orphanage. His stepdaughter, Stacey Struck, noted his skills in conflict mediation, suggesting he “would have made a great teacher.”
Thompson remains in search of Kenneth Champagne’s descendants to return personal items, including military awards. “I’ve come to know these families pretty well in my research,” he said, expressing his hope that the remaining artifacts will find their rightful homes.
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