A family is desperately searching for a priceless necklace that they say went missing at one of two hospitals where he was treated. 

Pedro Rivera suffered a brain aneurysm in May and had surgery at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville.

He was transferred to Milstein Hospital in Manhattan, and that's when the family noticed it was missing.

His family says the gold cross and chain was given to him by his late brother.

"He considered it his good luck charm. He wore it all the time, day and night," says his wife, Nilda Rivera.

The 72-year-old wore the necklace in combat five decades ago and hasn't taken it off since. Rivera received a Purple Heart after being injured in Vietnam.

"During one of the hand-to-hand combats, the enemy ripped it off and it was found right before he left the city," says his wife.

The family filed a police report and asked both hospitals to investigate.

His family says they don't have the heart to tell Rivera it's gone, and that they are holding out hope the necklace will be returned.

Pedro Rivera's family also says his Department of Corrections retiree badge and insurance cards were stolen. A representative for New York Presbyterian did get back to News 12 and said they don't comment on patient affairs.