Purple Heart

Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President of the United States to those wounded or killed while serving with the United States Armed Forces after 5 April 1917. Established by General of the Armies George Washington as the Badge of Military Merit in 1782, it is the oldest military award still given to American service members. The modern medal, featuring a profile of Washington and his coat of arms, recognizes sacrifice and is a solemn symbol of courage under fire.

History

The award's origins trace directly to George Washington, who created the Badge of Military Merit at his Newburgh headquarters during the American Revolutionary War. The original badge, a cloth purple heart, fell into disuse after the war. The modern incarnation was revived on the bicentennial of Washington's birth by an order from General Douglas MacArthur, then United States Army Chief of Staff, and formally established by War Department General Orders in 1932. Initially awarded for meritorious service and wounds, its criteria were revised by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942, limiting it exclusively to combat wounds. The award's administration was later transferred to the United States Department of Defense.

Criteria and eligibility

Eligibility requires being wounded or killed as a direct result of enemy action while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces. This includes injuries from weapons fire, improvised explosive devices, chemical weapons, and friendly fire in combat zones. The wound must require treatment by a medical officer and be documented in official records like those from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Since 1984, it has also been awarded to prisoners of war wounded during captivity, as established under President Ronald Reagan. The decision to award is made by the specific service branch, such as the United States Army or United States Marine Corps.

Design and symbolism

The medal is a heart-shaped bronze pendant with a gold border, depicting a profile relief of George Washington in uniform, based on a bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon. Above the heart is Washington's family coat of arms between sprays of green leaves. The reverse bears the inscription "FOR MILITARY MERIT" with the recipient's name engraved below. The ribbon is purple with white edges, echoing the original Badge of Military Merit. The design was created by Elizabeth Will, a heraldic specialist in the United States Army Institute of Heraldry. The symbolism directly connects the sacrifice of modern service members to the ideals of the Continental Army.

Notable recipients

Hundreds of thousands have received the award, including many prominent figures. General Douglas MacArthur and General George S. Patton each received the decoration for wounds sustained in World War II. Senator John McCain was awarded for injuries suffered as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. Audie Murphy, the most decorated U.S. soldier of World War II, received multiple awards for wounds. Other notable recipients include President John F. Kennedy for injuries in the Pacific Theater, Colonel David Hackworth, and Sergeant Alvin York from World War I, who received the award retroactively. The record for the most awarded to one individual is held by Curry T. Haynes, who received ten.

Cultural impact and legacy

The Purple Heart holds a profound place in American military culture and public consciousness. It is prominently featured in films like *Forrest Gump* and *The Purple Heart (film)*, and literature such as *The Things They Carried* by Tim O'Brien. Organizations like the Military Order of the Purple Heart, chartered by the United States Congress, provide support to recipients. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York, preserves their stories. The award's legacy is one of solemn respect, representing the physical cost of war and the resilience of service members from conflicts like the Gulf War and Global War on Terrorism.

Category:United States military awards