Purple Heart
Awarded by United States of America
Type	Medal
Eligibility	Military Personnel
Awarded for	"Being wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces"
Status	Currently Awarded
Statistics
First awarded	22 February 1932
Precedence
Next (higher)	Bronze Star
Next (lower)	Meritorious Service Medals: Joint Service, Branch Service
Purple Heart Ribbon

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after 5 April 1917 with the U.S. military. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration which may be awarded for bravery acts of merit or meritorious service The Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense The Meritorious Service Medal is a military award presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Awards and decorations of the United States military are Military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by Events 456 - St Patrick returns to Ireland as a missionary bishop Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The United States Armed Forces are the overall unified military forces of the United States The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in Newburgh, New York. National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located along NY 300 in the Town of New Windsor, New York, less than two miles south of the Town of Newburgh The original idea for the Purple Heart (the Badge of Military Merit) is the oldest symbol and award that is still given to members of the U. The Badge of Military Merit is considered to be the first official military combat badge of the United States Armed Forces. S. military, surpassed in history only by the long obsolete Fidelity Medallion. The Fidelity Medallion is the oldest decoration of the United States military and was created by act of the Continental Congress in 1780.

History

The original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established by George Washington—then the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army—by order from his Newburgh, New York headquarters on 7 August 1782. The Badge of Military Merit is considered to be the first official military combat badge of the United States Armed Forces. George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the A commander-in-chief is the Commander of a nation's Military forces or significant element of those forces The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site is a Historic site in Newburgh, New York, USA. Events 322 BC - Battle of Crannon between Athens and Macedon following the death of Alexander the Great. Year 1782 ( MDCCLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The actual order includes the phrase, "Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the purple heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen. "

The Badge of Military Merit was only awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers and fell into disuse following the War of Independence. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" Although never abolished, the award of the badge was not proposed again officially until after World War I. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All

On 10 October 1927, Army Chief of Staff General Charles Pelot Summerall directed that a draft bill be sent to Congress "to revive the Badge of Military Merit". Events 680 - Battle of Karbala: Shia Imam Husayn bin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, is decapitated Year 1927 ( MCMXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Chief of Staff of the United States Army ( CSA) is the highest ranking officer in the United States Army and is member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Pelot Summerall (March 4 1867 - May 14 1955 was a US General who fought in World War I and served as Army Chief of Staff between The bill was withdrawn and action on the case ceased on 3 January 1928, but the office of the Adjutant General was instructed to file all materials collected for possible future use. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer

A number of private interests sought to have the medal reinstituted in the Army. One of these was the board of directors of the Fort Ticonderoga Museum in Ticonderoga, New York. Fort Ticonderoga is a large Eighteenth-century Fort built at a strategically important narrows in Lake Champlain where a short traverse gives access Ticonderoga is a Town in Essex County, New York, USA. The population was 5167 at the 2000 census

On 7 January 1931, Summerall’s successor, General Douglas MacArthur, confidentially reopened work on a new design, involving the Washington Commission of Fine Arts. Events 1325 - Alfonso IV becomes King of Portugal. 1558 - France takes Calais, the last continental Year 1931 ( MCMXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. General MacArthur redirects here for other meanings see General MacArthur (disambiguation. This new design was issued on the bicentennial of George Washington's birth.

Elizabeth Will, an Army heraldic specialist in the Office of the Quartermaster General, was named to redesign the newly revived medal, which became known as the Purple Heart. Heraldry in its most general sense encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. A Quartermaster general is the Staff officer in charge of supplies for a whole Army. Using general specifications provided to her, Will created the design sketch for the present medal of the Purple Heart. Her obituary, in the 8 February 1975 edition of the Washington Post newspaper, reflects her many contributions to military heraldry. An obituary is an attempt to give an account of the texture and significance of the life of someone who has recently died Events 421 - Constantius III becomes co- Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Washington Post is the largest and most circulated Newspaper in Washington D

The Commission of Fine Arts solicited plaster models from three leading sculptors for the medal, selecting that of John R. Sinnock of the Philadelphia Mint in May 1931. John R (Ray Sinnock (1888 - 1947 was the eighth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint and designer of the Roosevelt dime and Franklin half dollar The Philadelphia Mint was created from the need to establish a national identity and the needs of commerce in the United States. By Executive Order of the President of the United States, the Purple Heart was revived on the 200th Anniversary of George Washington's birth, out of respect to his memory and military achievements, by War Department General Orders No. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by 3, dated 22 February 1932. Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar.

The criteria were announced in War Department circular dated 22 February 1932 and authorized award to soldiers, upon their request, who had been awarded the Meritorious Service Citation Certificate, Army Wound Ribbon, or were authorized to wear Wound Chevrons subsequent to 5 April 1917, the day before the United States entered World War I. The United States Department of War, sometimes also called the War Office, was the department of the United States government 's executive branch Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. The Army Wound Ribbon was a short lived decoration of the United States Army which was created on September 6, 1917 to recognize those soldiers who had A Wound Chevron was a badge of the United States Army which was authorized for wear on an Army uniform between the years of 1918 and 1932 Events 456 - St Patrick returns to Ireland as a missionary bishop Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All The first Purple Heart was awarded to MacArthur.

George Washington

During the early period of American involvement in World War II (7 December 1941-22 September 1943), the Purple Heart was awarded both for wounds received in action against the enemy and for meritorious performance of duty. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Year 1943 ( MCMXLIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. With the establishment of the Legion of Merit, by an Act of Congress, the practice of awarding the Purple Heart for meritorious service was discontinued. The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding

By Executive Order 9277, dated 3 December 1942, the decoration was extended to be applicable to all services and the order required that regulations of the Services be uniform in application as far as practicable. Events 1800 - War of the Second Coalition: Battle of Hohenlinden, French Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. This executive order also authorized award only for wounds received.

Executive Order 10409, dated 12 February 1952, revised authorizations to include the Service Secretaries subject to approval of the Secretary of Defense. Events 1429 - English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orleans from attack by the Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States Secretary of Defense ( SECDEF) is the head of the U

Executive Order 11016, dated 25 April 1962, included provisions for posthumous award of the Purple Heart. Events 1607 - Eighty Years' War: The Dutch fleet destroys the anchored Spanish fleet at Gibraltar. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Executive Order 12464, dated 23 February 1984, authorized award of the Purple Heart as a result of terrorist attacks or while serving as part of a peacekeeping force subsequent to 28 March 1973. Events 1455 - Traditional date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western Book printed from Movable Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar.

The Senate approved an amendment to the 1985 Defense Authorization Bill on 13 June 1985 which changed the precedent from immediately above the Good Conduct Medal to immediately above the Meritorious Service Medals. Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military decorations of the United States military. The Meritorious Service Medal is a military award presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious Public Law 99-145 authorized the award for wounds received as a result of friendly fire. Friendly fire or non-hostile fire, a term originally adopted by the United States military, refers to fire from one's own side or allied forces as Public Law 104-106 expanded the eligibility date, authorizing award of the Purple Heart to a former prisoner of war who was wounded before 25 April 1962. Events 1607 - Eighty Years' War: The Dutch fleet destroys the anchored Spanish fleet at Gibraltar. Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (Public Law 105-85) changed the criteria to delete authorization for award of the Purple Heart Medal to any civilian national of the United States while serving under competent authority in any capacity with the Armed Forces. This change was effective 18 May 1998. Events 1152 - Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar)

During World War II, nearly 500,000 Purple Heart medals were manufactured in anticipation of the casualties resulting from the invasion of Japan. To the present date, all the American military casualties of the sixty years following the end of World War II — including the Korean and Vietnam Wars — have not exceeded that number. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Korean War refers to a period of military conflict between North Korean and South Korean regimes with major hostilities lasting from June 25 1950 until the The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia In 2003, there were still 120,000 of these Purple Heart medals in stock. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[1] There are so many in surplus that combat units in Iraq and Afghanistan and United States are able to keep Purple Hearts on-hand for immediate award to wounded soldiers on the field. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, The United States of America —commonly referred to as the ^[1]

Appearance

The Purple Heart is a heart-shaped medal within a gold border, 1 ³⁄₈ inches (35 mm) wide, containing a profile of General George Washington. The heart (♥ has long been used as a Symbol to refer to the spiritual, Emotional moral, and in the past also intellectual core George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the Above the heart appears a shield of the coat of arms of George Washington (a white shield with two red bars and three red stars in chief) between sprays of green leaves. The coat of arms of George Washington, President of the United States of America from 1789 to 1797 were first used to identify the family in the twelfth century The reverse consists of a raised bronze heart with the words FOR MILITARY MERIT below the coat of arms and leaves. The ribbon is 1 and ³⁄₈ inches (35 mm) wide and consists of the following stripes: ¹⁄₈ inch (3 mm) white 67101; 1 ¹⁄₈ inches (29 mm) purple 67115; and ¹⁄₈ inch (3 mm) white 67101. As with other combat medals, multiple awards are denoted by award stars for the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, or oak leaf clusters for the Army and Air Force. An award star is a decoration issued by the United States military in lieu of multiple awards of the same award for example a second and subsequent Legion of Merit An oak leaf cluster or oakleaves is a common device which is placed on U The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities.

Awarding the medal

Per United States Army regulations, the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U. S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died after being wounded. Specific examples of services which warrant the Purple Heart include:

1. In any action against an enemy of the United States.

2. In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged.

3. While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

4. As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces.

5. As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force

6. After 28 March 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of the Army, or jointly by the Secretaries of the separate armed services concerned if persons from more than one service are wounded in the attack.

7. After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.

The Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not "recommended" for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria. A Purple Heart is authorized for the first wound suffered under conditions indicated above, but for each subsequent award an oak leaf cluster is awarded. An oak leaf cluster or oakleaves is a common device which is placed on U Not more than one award will be made for more than one wound or injury received at the same instant.

A "wound" is defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or agent sustained under one or more of the conditions listed above. A physical lesion is not required, however, the wound for which the award is made must have required treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record. When contemplating an award of this decoration, the key issue that commanders must take into consideration is the degree to which the enemy caused the injury. The fact that the proposed recipient was participating in direct or indirect combat operations is a necessary prerequisite, but is not sole justification for award.

Examples of enemy-related injuries which justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:

(a) Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action. A bullet is a solid Projectile propelled by a Firearm or Air gun and is normally made from metal (usually Lead) Shrapnel is the term originally applied to an anti-personnel artillery shell which carried a large number of individual bullets to the target and then ejected them forwards relying

(b) Injury caused by enemy placed land mine, naval mine, or trap. A land mine is an Explosive device designed to be placed on or in the ground to explode when triggered by an operator or the Proximity of a vehicle person A naval mine is a self-contained Explosive device placed in water to destroy Ships or Submarines Unlike Depth charges mines are deposited

(c) Injury caused by enemy released chemical, biological, or nuclear agent.

(d) Injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accident resulting from enemy fire.

(e) Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions.

5. Examples of injuries or wounds which do not qualify for award of the Purple Heart are as follows:

(a) Frostbite or trench foot injuries. Frostbite ( congelatio in Medical terminology) is the Medical condition whereby damage is caused to Skin and other tissues Immersion foot, or trench foot, is a medical condition caused by prolonged exposure of the feet to damp unsanitary and cold conditions above freezing point

(b) Heat stroke. Hyperthermia, in its advanced state referred to as heat stroke or sunstroke, is an acute condition which occurs when the Body produces or absorbs more

(c) Food poisoning not caused by enemy agents. Foodborne illness (also foodborne disease) is any Illness resulting from the consumption of food

(d) Chemical, biological, or nuclear agents not released by the enemy.

(e) Battle fatigue.

(f) Disease not directly caused by enemy agents.

(g) Accidents, to include explosive, aircraft, vehicular, and other accidental wounding not related to or caused by enemy action.

(h) Self-inflicted wounds, except when in the heat of battle, and not involving gross negligence.

(i) Post-traumatic stress disorders. Post traumatic stress disorder It is a severe and ongoing emotional reaction to

(j) Jump injuries not caused by enemy action.

It is not intended that such a strict interpretation of the requirement for the wound or injury to be caused by direct result of hostile action be taken that it would preclude the award being made to deserving personnel. Commanders must also take into consideration the circumstances surrounding an injury, even if it appears to meet the criteria. Examples of such "special cases" include:

(a) In a case such as an individual injured while making a parachute landing from an aircraft that had been brought down by enemy fire; or, an individual injured as a result of a vehicle accident caused by enemy fire, the decision will be made in favor of the individual and the award will be made.

(b) Individuals wounded or killed as a result of "friendly fire" in the "heat of battle" will be awarded the Purple Heart as long as the "friendly" projectile or agent was released with the full intent of inflicting damage or destroying enemy troops or equipment.

(c) Individuals injured as a result of their own negligence; for example, driving or walking through an unauthorized area known to have been mined or placed off limits or searching for or picking up unexploded munitions as war souvenirs, will not be awarded the Purple Heart as they clearly were not injured as a result of enemy action, but rather by their own negligence.

A Purple Heart may be issued to a fallen veteran's next of kin in the event that they are deceased. of each person entitled to a posthumous award. Issue will be made automatically by the Commanding General, PERSCOM, upon receiving a report of death indicating entitlement.

For those who became Prisoners of War after 25 April 1962, the Purple Heart will be awarded to individuals wounded while prisoners of foreign forces, upon submission by the individual to the Department of the U. S. Army of an affidavit that is supported by a statement from a witness, if this is possible. Documentation and inquiries should be directed to Commander, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPC-PDA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471.

Any member of the U. S. Army who believes that he or she is eligible for the Purple Heart, but through unusual circumstances no award was made, may submit an application through military channels, to Commander, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPC PDA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471. Application will include complete documentation, to include evidence of medical treatment, pertaining to the wound.

The Purple Heart may also be awarded to civilian nationals of the United States. These individuals must be serving under competent authority with the Army when wounded. Serving under competent authority with the Army includes persons who are employees of the U. S. Government in a duty (pay or official travel) status when wounds are sustained. Examples of eligible individuals are as follows:

1. Any Army employee who is traveling outside of the continental limits of the United States on PCS or temporary duty (TDY) aboard a commercial aircraft and wounded by international terrorists in an attempted or actual hijacking incident.

2. An Army employee in an Army office building performing his or her job who is wounded by an explosive device detonated by international terrorists.

3. A civil or foreign service employee from a U. S. Government Agency or Department attached to an Army element performing intelligence, counter-terrorist, or other duties with the Army wounded by international terrorists.

4. An Army employee wounded in an international terrorist incident in which a soldier or soldiers are also wounded.

Presentation procedures

Modern day presentations

Current active duty personnel are awarded the Purple Heart upon recommendation from their chain of command, stating the injury that was received and the action in which the service member was wounded. The award authority for the Purple Heart is normally at the level of an Army Brigade, Marine Corps Division, Air Force Wing, or Navy Task Force. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. A brigade is a Military unit Echelon: is A division is a large Military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to thirty thousand soldiers While the award of the Purple Heart is considered automatic for all wounds received in combat, each award presentation must still be reviewed to ensure that the wounds received were as a result of enemy action.

Modern day Purple Heart presentations are recorded in both hardcopy and electronic service records. The annotation of the Purple Heart is denoted both with the service member's parent command and at the headquarters of the military service department. An original citation and award certificate are presented to the service member and filed in the field service record.

Unrecorded presentations

During the Vietnam War, Korean War, and World War II, the Purple Heart was often awarded "on the spot," with occasional entries made into service records, but this was often not the case. The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia The Korean War refers to a period of military conflict between North Korean and South Korean regimes with major hostilities lasting from June 25 1950 until the World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including In addition, during the mass demobilizations that followed each of America's major wars of the 20th century, it was a common occurrence for the Purple Heart to be omitted from service records, due to clerical errors, once the service record was closed upon discharge.

An added complication is that a number of field commanders would engage in "bedside presentations" of the Purple Heart which would typically entail a general entering a hospital with a box of Purple Hearts, pinning them on the pillows of wounded service members, and then departing with no official records kept of the visit or the award of the Purple Heart. Service members, themselves, could complicate the issue by leaving hospitals unofficially, returning to their units in haste to rejoin a battle or to not appear as a malingerer. In such cases, even if a service member had received actual wounds in combat, both the award of the Purple Heart, as well as the entire visit to the hospital which treated the enemy wound, would never be recorded in official records.

Retroactive presentations

Service members requesting retroactive awards of the Purple Heart must normally apply through the National Personnel Records Center. The National Personnel Records Center is an agency of the National Archives and Records Administration and is divided into two large Federal Records Centers located in St Following a review of service records, those Army members so qualified are awarded the Purple Heart by the U. S. Army Human Resources Command in Alexandria, Virginia. Alexandria is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Air Force veterans are awarded the Purple Heart by the Awards Office of Randolph Air Force Base while the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard presents Purple Hearts to veterans through the Navy Liaison Officer at the National Personnel Records Center. Randolph Air Force Base ( Randolph AFB) is a base of the United States Air Force located in Universal City, Texas, near San Antonio

Simple clerical errors, where a Purple Heart is denoted in military records but was simply omitted from a DD Form 214 (Report of Separation), are corrected on site at the National Personnel Records Center through issuance of a document known as a DD-215. DD Form 214 is a document of the United States Department of Defense issued upon a military service member's retirement separation or discharge from active-duty

Retroactive requests

As the Purple Heart did not exist prior to 1932, records of the decoration are not annotated in service histories of those veterans who were wounded or killed by enemy action prior to the establishment of the medal. The Purple Heart, however, is retroactive to 1917 meaning that it may be presented to veterans as far back as the First World War. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All

Prior to 2006, service departments would review older service records, service histories, and all available records to determine if a veteran authorized a retroactive Purple Heart. As of 2008, such records are listed as "Archival" by the National Archives and Records Administration meaning they have been transferred from the custody of the military and can no longer be loaned and transferred for retroactive medals determination. In such cases, requestors asking for a Purple Heart (especially from records of the First World War) are provided with a complete copy of all available records (or reconsturcted records in the case of the 1973 fire) and advised that the Purple Heart may be privately purchased if the requestor feels it is warranted.

Destroyed record requests

Due to the 1973 National Archives Fire, a large number of retroactive Purple Heart requests are difficult to verify since all records to substantiate the award may very well have been destroyed. The 1973 National Archives Fire, a severe blow to the National Archives and Records Administration of the United States, was a disastrous fire that occurred at the As a solution to this, the National Personnel Records Center maintains a separate office to deal with Purple Heart requests where service records have been destroyed in the 1973 fire. In such cases, NPRC searches through unit records, military pay records, and records of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA) is a government-run military Veteran benefit system with Cabinet -level status If a Purple Heart is warranted, all available alternate records sources are forwarded to the military service department for final determination of issuance.

The loaning of fire related records to the military has declined since 2006, since a large number of such records now fall into the "archival records" category of military service records meaning that the records have been transferred from the military to the National Archives. In such cases, the Purple Heart may be privately purchased by the requestor (see above section of retroactive requests for further details) but is no longer provided by the military service department.

Last resort requests

Some veterans who have exhausted all available sources, often still feel that they should be awarded a Purple Heart, even if there are no records of the decoration. In such cases, service members may appeal directly to the military service department by way of a Defense Department Form 149, which requests an official change to military records. Usually, if the 149 is denied by the service department, there is nothing more a veteran can do and will not be awarded the Purple Heart. In some cases, however, veterans have been recommended for the Purple Heart, after the fact, by a United States Senator or Congressman. The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. Such cases are treated as brand new award recommendations and the process for presenting the Purple Heart begins again with a review of records and interview of witnesses to the action in which a service member was wounded.

Legal

Any false verbal, written or physical claim, or selling of the Purple Heart Medal, by an individual to whom it has not been awarded, is a federal felony offence punishable by jail time and/or a fine (See Stolen Valor Act of 2005). The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 (the Act signed into law by President George W

See also

• Police Purple Heart
• Wound stripe

Notable Purple Heart Recipients

The most Purple Hearts received by one person is eight. A Law Enforcement Purple Heart is a generic term to describe a United States law enforcement medal which may be issued to any Police officer who is wounded or killed A wound stripe was awarded to Allied soldiers during World War I who had been wounded in Combat. Six U. S. Army soldiers share that distinction:

• Richard J. Buck - Four Purple Hearts in the Korean War and four in the Vietnam War
• Robert T. Frederick - Eight Purple Hearts in World War II; also received two Distinguished Service Crosses
• David H. Hackworth - Eight Purple Hearts in the Korean War and Vietnam War; also received two Distinguished Service Crosses and ten Silver Stars
• Robert L. Howard - Eight Purple Hearts in the Vietnam War; also received the Medal of Honor
• William L. The Korean War refers to a period of military conflict between North Korean and South Korean regimes with major hostilities lasting from June 25 1950 until the The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Robert Tryon Frederick ( March 14, 1907 - November 29, 1970) was a highly decorated American combat commander during World War II, who The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, awarded for extreme David Haskell Hackworth ( November 11, 1930 &ndash May 4, 2005) known affectionately as " Hack " was a retired United The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, awarded for extreme The Silver Star is the third highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces. Robert L Howard (b July 11 1939 in Opelika Alabama) is a highly decorated officer of the United States Army and Medal of Honor recipient of the The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. Russell - Eight Purple Hearts in World War II; Silver Star
• William Waugh - Eight Purple Hearts in the Vietnam War; also received the Silver Star. SGM William "Billy" Waugh (US Army-Ret (born December 1929 is a highly decorated American Special Forces soldier and Central Intelligence Agency The Silver Star is the third highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces.

In May 2006, a soldier made national headlines after giving his Purple Heart to a girl who had written many letters to troops. ^[2]

In May 2007, Vietnam veteran Jerrell Hudman announced that he planned to give one of his three Purple Hearts to George, a Jack Russell terrier. George died from injuries sustained when he saved a group of five children from being mauled by two pit bull terriers in New Zealand. ^[3]

References

External links

• Military Order of the Purple Heart MA Department
• Military Order of the Purple Heart
• Purple Heart - Criteria, Background, and Images
• "Short of Purple Hearts, Navy tells vet to buy own", Anne Marie Kilday, Houston Chronicle, Aug. 17, 2007