One of John Lennon's loudest political statements is being heard again 40 years after his initial protest. In 1969, as part of his call for peace, the Beatles icon returned his MBE (an insignia awarded for outstanding contribution to the British Empire) to Buckingham Palace with a note that read, "Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against 'Cold Turkey' slipping down the charts." He signed the note, "With Love, John Lennon."

Now, the insignia, assumed melted down or recycled according to the Times London, has been found in a vault along with the handwritten note. The MBE is at the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, in St James's Palace. Ironically, though long forgotten, a Palace spokesman says that's where it's held ever since its arrival there.

While Beatles fans are calling for its release and public display, Buckingham Palace is leaving that decision to Lennon's widow Yoko Ono. "In order to decide whether the medal could go on display in a museum, we would have to establish ownership first. It could be up to Yoko Ono as she is the custodian of John Lennon's estate," the spokesman said.

Lennon apparently wasn't the only rocker who felt he would be "selling out to the establishment" by taking the honor. A 2003 memo revealed that David Bowie also returned his award.