Purple Heart (United States)
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| Purple Heart (United States) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Purple Heart |
| Caption | Purple Heart decoration |
| Presented by | United States |
| Type | Military decoration |
| Eligibility | Members of the United States Armed Forces, friendly foreign military personnel |
| Awarded for | Wounds received in action against an enemy or as a result of an act of any such enemy or hostile force |
| Status | Active |
| Established | 22 February 1932 (revived from 1782 Badge of Military Merit) |
| Higher | Air Medal |
| Lower | Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
Purple Heart (United States) is a United States military decoration awarded to service members wounded or killed while serving. Originating from the Continental Army's Badge of Military Merit established by George Washington in 1782, the modern Purple Heart was revived in 1932 and remains one of the oldest and most recognized American military awards. It is issued across the United States Armed Forces and has been awarded for wounds in conflicts from the World War I aftermath through World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), and the Iraq War.
History
The Purple Heart traces its lineage to the Badge of Military Merit authorized by George Washington on 7 August 1782 at Newburgh, New York. After the Revolutionary era, the badge fell into disuse until efforts by the Military Order of the Purple Heart and veterans like General Douglas MacArthur prompted revival. On 22 February 1932, the Office of the Adjutant General of the Army issued General Order No. 3, reestablishing the award on Washington's birthday. During World War II, the award criteria expanded; subsequent legislative and administrative changes following World War I veterans' campaigns and actions by the United States Congress standardized eligibility. Post-Vietnam War amendments addressed retroactive awards, and executive actions by presidents including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower shaped regulations. The Purple Heart's history intersects with organizations such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in advocacy for recipients.
Criteria and Eligibility
Eligibility is defined by statute and Department of Defense regulations administered by the Secretary of the Army and service secretaries of the Department of Defense. The award is presented to members of the United States Air Force, United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, and United States Coast Guard injured by enemy action, hostile forces, or while engaged in an international operation authorized by the United Nations or allied commands. Wounds must require treatment by a medical officer and be documented in medical records such as in VA files or service treatment records maintained at installations like Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Posthumous awards are authorized for service members killed in action; additional awards are denoted by oak leaf clusters or service-specific devices per regulations from offices such as the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Appearance and Design
The medal features a heart-shaped purple enamel medallion bearing a profile of George Washington taken from the Lansdowne portrait surrounded by a gilt border. The reverse bears the inscription "FOR MILITARY MERIT" with space for the recipient's name and a wreath. The ribbon is purple with white edges; devices differ among services—for example, the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps use gold stars, while the United States Army uses oak leaf clusters for subsequent awards. The design was created under direction of Army Heraldry offices and influenced by Revolutionary War iconography preserved at institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the National Archives.
Awarding Process
The process begins with an official recommendation from a commander or medical authority, supported by action reports such as After Action Reports, line of duty determinations, and medical documentation from facilities like Brooke Army Medical Center. Recommendations are routed through service personnel commands—Army Human Resources Command, Navy Personnel Command, Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs, or Air Force Personnel Center—and reviewed against criteria in the Manual of Military Decorations and Awards. Final approval authority rests with designated commanders or the service secretary depending on circumstances; retroactive or corrective awards may require boards such as the Board for Correction of Military Records or congressional intervention. Ceremonial presentations often occur at installations, memorials like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, or events run by veterans' groups including the American Legion.
Notable Recipients
Recipients include prominent individuals across American history and public life. Early recipients trace to Revolutionary officers associated with Valley Forge and later honorees include Audie Murphy, a decorated World War II soldier; John F. Kennedy, awarded for World War II service in the PT-109 incident; Hillary Clinton's husband Bill Clinton does not apply—(note: do not link personal spouses unless proper noun recipients). Medal recipients also include high-profile figures like astronaut Neil Armstrong (as a naval aviator), Senator John McCain (Vietnam War POW), and leaders such as Colin Powell (Vietnam veteran who later served as Secretary of State). Collective recipient groups include personnel from the 101st Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Special Forces (United States Army), and units engaged in battles like Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Battle of the Bulge, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Civilian allies serving with U.S. units and certain foreign military personnel have received the decoration under allied command provisions.
Legal and Administrative Aspects
The Purple Heart is codified in federal statute and Department of Defense directives; issuance and entitlements intersect with benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs under laws such as provisions in Title 10 and Title 38 of the United States Code. Administrative oversight includes verification of service-connected injuries for benefits like disability compensation and burial honors at locations such as Arlington National Cemetery. Fraudulent claiming or unauthorized sale of medals is addressed by statutes enforced by agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and penalties under the Stolen Valor Act and related case law adjudicated in federal courts including the United States Court of Appeals. Correction of awards or appeals are processed via service Boards for Correction of Military Records, the Department of Defense Inspector General, and congressional inquiries by committees such as the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.