The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. armed forces. It is the oldest U.S. military award still given, with origins tracing back to the 1782 Badge of Military Merit created by General George Washington; the modern Purple Heart was established in 1932.
Key points
- Eligibility: Any member of the U.S. military who, after April 5, 1917, is wounded or killed by enemy action while serving under competent authority is eligible to receive the Purple Heart. It is awarded when the relevant incident occurs, and non-combat injuries or accidental injuries do not qualify unless linked to enemy action. Posthumous awards are possible.
- Criteria and presentation: The award is made in the name of the President. For multiple injuries from a single incident, only one Purple Heart is awarded for that incident, with oak leaf clusters or stars used to denote subsequent awards for separate wounds. The process does not require individual nominations; eligibility is determined by meeting the defined criteria.
- Symbolism and appearance: The medal features a purple heart, often with a central device related to the specific service, and a purple ribbon. The color purple is associated with courage and sacrifice.
- Significance and observances: The Purple Heart is a symbol of personal sacrifice and is commemorated in observances such as National Purple Heart Day on August 7 in the United States. Numerous veterans’ organizations, government programs, and nonprofit groups recognize Purple Heart recipients and often provide benefits and support.
Historical context
- The Purple Heart has its roots in the Badge of Military Merit established by George Washington in 1782, which was a heart-shaped insignia; the modern Purple Heart evolved from that legacy and has become the United States’ oldest active military decoration.
- The award’s eligibility criteria have evolved over time, including expansions to cover more branches of the U.S. armed forces and clarifications about posthumous awards and the treatment of multiple injuries.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific branch (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard) or provide a concise summary of the benefits and recognition commonly associated with Purple Heart recipients.
