Purple Heart

Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is a prestigious United States military decoration awarded to military personnel who are wounded or killed while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the most recognized and respected awards in the US military, with notable recipients including George S. Patton, Douglas MacArthur, and Audie Murphy. The Purple Heart has a rich history, dating back to the American Revolutionary War, and is awarded by the United States Department of the Army, United States Department of the Navy, United States Department of the Air Force, and United States Department of the Treasury.

● History of

the Purple Heart The Purple Heart has its roots in the Badge of Military Merit, established by George Washington in 1782 during the American Revolutionary War. The award was discontinued after the war, but it was revived in 1932 by General Douglas MacArthur on the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth. The modern Purple Heart was designed by Elizabeth Will, an artist from Mount Vernon, New York, and was first awarded to General Charles P. Summerall and General John L. Hines on February 22, 1932. The award has undergone several design changes over the years, with input from notable figures such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar Bradley. The Purple Heart is also associated with other notable awards, including the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, and Bronze Star Medal, which are awarded by the United States Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

● Eligibility and Criteria

To be eligible for the Purple Heart, military personnel must be wounded or killed while serving in the United States Armed Forces during a time of war or while engaged in an international terrorist attack. The award is also given to prisoners of war who are wounded or killed while in captivity, as well as to civilian personnel who are wounded or killed while serving with the US military in a combat zone. The criteria for the award are outlined in US Army Regulation 600-8-22, which is administered by the United States Department of the Army and the National Personnel Records Center. Notable military personnel who have been awarded the Purple Heart include John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Bob Dole, who all served in the US Navy, US Army, and US Air Force during World War II and the Korean War.

● Design and Appearance

The Purple Heart is a heart-shaped medal with a purple ribbon and a gold border, featuring a profile of George Washington on the obverse side. The medal is suspended from a ribbon with a gold border, and the reverse side features the inscription "For Military Merit". The design of the Purple Heart has undergone several changes over the years, with input from notable figures such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. The medal is manufactured by the Institute of Heraldry and the United States Mint, and is awarded to military personnel who have been wounded or killed in combat, including those who served in the Battle of Gettysburg, Battle of Normandy, and Battle of Iwo Jima.

● Notable Recipients

The Purple Heart has been awarded to many notable military personnel, including Alvin York, Eddie Rickenbacker, and Jimmy Doolittle, who all served in the US Army and US Air Force during World War I and World War II. Other notable recipients include John McCain, Daniel Inouye, and Tammy Duckworth, who all served in the US Navy, US Army, and US Air Force during the Vietnam War and the War in Afghanistan. The Purple Heart has also been awarded to civilian personnel who have been wounded or killed while serving with the US military, including journalists such as Ernie Pyle and Joe Galloway, who reported on the Battle of the Bulge and the Tet Offensive.

● Awards and Legacy

The Purple Heart is one of the most respected and recognized awards in the US military, and is often awarded in conjunction with other notable awards, including the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, and Bronze Star Medal. The award has been recognized by Congress and the President of the United States, and is considered one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon military personnel. The Purple Heart has also been the subject of several books and films, including The Purple Heart and Flags of Our Fathers, which were written by authors such as James Bradley and Ron Powers. The award continues to be an important symbol of military service and sacrifice, and is recognized by veterans' organizations such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States