Purple Heart facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Purple Heart
Obverse
Awarded for	Obverse profile of George Washington
Presented by	United States Department of the Army United States Department of the Navy United States Department of the Air Force United States Department of Homeland Security

The Purple Heart is a special United States military decoration. It is given in the name of the President to military members who are injured or lose their lives while serving. This award is for those who served on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military. The Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given to U.S. service members. Its history goes back to the Badge of Military Merit, which was a purple cloth heart. You can learn more about this award at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York. For example, John Kerry, a former U.S. Secretary of State, received three Purple Hearts.

The Story Behind the Purple Heart

George Washington's Original Idea

The very first idea for the Purple Heart came from George Washington. He was the leader of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. On August 7, 1782, he created the Badge of Military Merit. This badge was a purple cloth heart. Washington himself gave this award to only three soldiers. He also let his officers give out the badges. Even though it was never officially stopped, the award wasn't used much after the Revolutionary War. It wasn't until after World War I that people thought about bringing it back.

Bringing the Medal Back

Years later, in 1927, General Charles Pelot Summerall wanted to bring back the Badge of Military Merit. He was the Army Chief of Staff. He asked for a plan to be sent to Congress. This plan would officially restart the award. The idea was put on hold, but all the information was saved. Many people and groups, like the Fort Ticonderoga Museum, also wanted the medal to be given again.

In 1931, General Douglas MacArthur took over from General Summerall. He secretly started working on a new design for the medal. Elizabeth Will, an Army expert, helped create the new look. She designed the medal we know today as the Purple Heart. The new medal shows a picture of George Washington. It was first given out in 1932, which was 200 years after Washington was born.

A sign on Interstate 35 for the Purple Heart Trail.

The Purple Heart Memorial in Westland, Michigan.

Artists created models for the medal. The design by John R. Sinnock was chosen. Then, the president of the United States officially brought back the Purple Heart. This happened on February 22, 1932. It was a way to honor George Washington's memory and his military accomplishments.

Changes Over Time

Rules for the Purple Heart were set in 1932. Soldiers who had been injured after April 5, 1917, could receive it. This date was just before the U.S. joined World War I. General MacArthur was the first to receive the new Purple Heart. At the start of World War II, the medal was given for injuries in battle. It was also given for doing a great job. But soon, a new medal called the Legion of Merit was created. After that, the Purple Heart was only given for injuries. In 1942, the award was made available to all branches of the military.

After 1932, some soldiers from older wars also received the Purple Heart. This included veterans from the American Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish–American War. The rules in 1932 said that any soldier injured in a U.S. Army conflict could apply. They just needed to be alive and show proof of their injury. The injury had to be treated by a doctor.

Over the years, the rules for the Purple Heart changed. In 1962, it became possible to award the Purple Heart to those who lost their lives. In 1984, the award was expanded. It could be given for injuries from hostile attacks or while serving in peacekeeping missions. This applied to events after March 28, 1973.

In 1985, the rules changed again. The Purple Heart's rank among other medals was moved higher. It also became possible to receive the award for injuries from 'friendly fire'. This means accidental injuries caused by one's own side during battle. Later, former prisoners of war who were injured after April 25, 1962, also became eligible. In 1998, the rules were updated. After this, only military members could receive the Purple Heart, not civilians.

In 2015, the rules were updated for injuries from certain hostile acts. This included attacks by individuals connected to foreign hostile groups. This change meant that service members injured in events like the 2009 attacks at Fort Hood could receive the medal. In 2026, two West Virginia National Guard soldiers injured in Washington D.C. also received the medal under these rules.

Purple Hearts Through the Years

During World War II, over 1.5 million Purple Heart medals were made. Many were prepared for a possible invasion of Japan. After the war, about 500,000 medals were still left. This was more than enough for all American military injuries in the next 70 years. This included the Korean War and Vietnam War. By 2000, about 120,000 medals were still in stock. This allowed military units in Iraq and Afghanistan to give out Purple Hearts right away. Since 2000, many more Purple Hearts have been made. They look exactly like the ones from the 1940s.

In 2009, National Geographic shared how many Purple Hearts were given:

• World War I: 320,518
• World War II: 1,076,245
• Korean War: 118,650
• Vietnam War: 351,794
• Persian Gulf War: 607
• Afghanistan War: 12,534 (as of November 18, 2018)
• Iraq War: 35,411 (as of November 18, 2018)
• Operation Inherent Resolve: 76 (as of May 4, 2020)
• United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, MINUSMA super camp attack: 2 (as of April 14, 2018)

Every year, August 7 is known as "National Purple Heart Day."

Who Receives the Purple Heart?

Admiral Mike Mullen reads the awards for seven soldiers receiving Purple Hearts for injuries in Afghanistan.

A soldier receives the Purple Heart during a ceremony at Coleman Barracks.

The Purple Heart is given to any U.S. Armed Forces member. They must have been injured or lost their life while serving after April 5, 1917. This happens when they are in action against an enemy or hostile forces.

Here are some examples of situations where the Purple Heart is awarded:

• Any action against an enemy of the United States.
• Any action with an opposing military force from another country.
• While serving with friendly foreign forces fighting against an opposing force.
• As a result of an act by an enemy or opposing military force.
• As a result of an act by any hostile foreign force.

These rules were updated in 1962. This was important during the Vietnam War. U.S. service members were being injured or losing their lives. But the U.S. was not officially at war at first. So, the rules were changed to include injuries from "friendly foreign forces" or "hostile foreign forces."

After March 28, 1973, the medal could also be given for injuries from international hostile attacks. This also includes serving in a peacekeeping mission outside the U.S.

The Purple Heart is different from most other awards. A service member doesn't get "recommended" for it. Instead, they are entitled to it if they meet the specific rules. If someone receives more than one Purple Heart, they wear an oak leaf cluster or a 5/16 inch star instead of another medal. Only one award is given for injuries received at the same time.

What Counts as an Injury?

An "injury" means harm to any part of the body from an outside force. This must happen under the conditions listed above. A visible mark is not always needed. However, the injury must have required treatment by a medical officer. Records of this treatment must be kept officially. When deciding on an award, commanders look at how much the enemy caused the injury. Being in combat is necessary, but it's not the only reason for the award. The Purple Heart is not given for injuries that happen outside of combat.

Injuries that do qualify for the Purple Heart include:

• Injuries from enemy bullets, shrapnel, or other projectiles.
• Injuries from enemy mines, naval mines, or traps.
• Injuries from enemy chemical, biological, or nuclear agents.
• Injuries from vehicle or aircraft accidents caused by enemy fire.
• Concussion injuries from enemy explosions.

When the Medal is Not Awarded

Some injuries or situations do not qualify for the Purple Heart. These include:

• Frostbite or trench foot.
• Heat stroke.
• Food poisoning not caused by enemy agents.
• Chemical, biological, or nuclear agents not released by the enemy.
• Battle fatigue or post-traumatic stress disorders.
• Diseases not directly caused by enemy agents.
• Accidents, like explosions or vehicle crashes, not caused by enemy action.
• Self-inflicted injuries, unless it happened in the heat of battle without serious carelessness.
• Jump injuries not caused by enemy action.

Special Cases

Commanders also consider the full situation around an injury. For example, if someone is hurt while parachuting from an aircraft shot down by enemy fire, they would receive the award. The same applies if someone is injured in a vehicle accident caused by enemy fire. Also, individuals injured or killed by "friendly fire" (accidental fire from their own side) in the heat of battle can receive the Purple Heart. This is true as long as the friendly fire was meant to harm the enemy.

However, if someone is injured due to their own carelessness, they will not receive the award. This includes walking into a known minefield or picking up unexploded bombs as souvenirs. These injuries are not caused by enemy action.

Animals and the Purple Heart

Animals usually do not receive the Purple Heart. But there have been rare times when military animals were honored. For example, the horse Sergeant Reckless in the Korean War and the dog Sergeant Stubby in World War I received this award.

How the Medal Looks

What the Medal Shows

The Purple Heart medal is shaped like a heart. It is about 1 and 3/8 inches wide. It is purple and gold. On the front, it shows a picture of General George Washington. Above the heart is a shield with Washington's family crest. This crest has a white shield with two red bars and three red stars. Green leaves are on either side of the shield. The back of the medal has the words "FOR MILITARY MERIT" below the crest and leaves.

The Ribbon and Extra Awards

The ribbon for the Purple Heart is also 1 and 3/8 inches wide. It is mostly purple, with a thin white stripe on each edge.

If a service member receives more than one Purple Heart, they show this with special devices. In the Army, Air Force, and Space Force, they use oak leaf clusters. In the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, they use 5/16 inch stars.

How the Purple Heart is Given

Purple Heart Medal with 5/16 Inch Gold Star in its presentation case. This one is from the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps during World War II.

Congressman Christopher Smith presented the Purple Heart Medal to Tuskegee Airman Tech. Sgt. (Ret.) George Watson Sr.

Modern Awards

Today, active military members receive the Purple Heart after their commanders recommend them. The recommendation explains the injury and the action where it happened. The authority to award the Purple Heart is usually held by high-ranking officers. While the award is generally given for all combat injuries, each case is reviewed. This ensures the injuries were truly caused by enemy action. Modern Purple Heart awards are recorded in both paper and electronic records. The service member receives an official certificate.

A U.S. Army Purple Heart Certificate for a soldier injured during the Korean War.

Awards in the Past

In past wars, like the Vietnam War, Korean War, and World War II, the Purple Heart was often given right away. Sometimes, these awards were not fully recorded in official papers. This happened due to mistakes or during large troop movements after wars. It caused problems later when service records were closed. Sometimes, generals would visit hospitals and pin medals on injured service members. They would then leave without official records being kept. Some service members even left hospitals quickly to rejoin their units. In these cases, their injuries and awards might not have been recorded.

Service members who want a Purple Heart from the past must apply through the National Personnel Records Center. After reviewing their records, qualified Army members receive the award from the U.S. Army Human Resources Command. Air Force veterans get theirs from the Awards Office at Randolph Air Force Base. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard veterans receive theirs through the Navy Liaison Officer. Simple mistakes in records can be corrected easily.

Famous People Who Received the Purple Heart

Many Awards for Bravery

Some service members have received the Purple Heart multiple times for their bravery:

• Ten Purple Hearts:
  • Charles D. Barger, U.S. Army, Medal of Honor: World War I (10)
  • William G. White, U.S. Army: World War II (9), Korean War (1)
  • Curry T. Haynes, U.S. Army: Vietnam War (10)
  • CSM George Albert Vidrine, U.S. Army: World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War
• Nine Purple Hearts:
  • Albert L. Ireland, U.S. Marine Corps: World War II (5), Korean War (4)
• Eight Purple Hearts:
  • Bobbie E. Brown, U.S. Army: Medal of Honor: World War II (8)
  • John J. Duffy, U.S. Army: Medal of Honor: Vietnam War (8)
  • Robert T. Frederick, U.S. Army: World War II (8)
  • David Hackworth, U.S. Army: Korean War (3), Vietnam War (5)
  • Joe Hooper, U.S. Army: Medal of Honor: Vietnam War (8)
  • Robert L. Howard, U.S. Army: Medal of Honor: Vietnam War (8)
  • William Waugh, U.S. Army: Vietnam War (8)
  • Richard J. Buck, U.S. Army: Korean War (4), Vietnam War (4)
  • William L. Russell, U.S. Army: World War II (8)
• Seven Purple Hearts:
  • Matt Urban, U.S. Army: Medal of Honor: World War II (7)
  • David A. Christian, U.S. Army: Vietnam War (7)
  • Randy McConnell, U.S. Army: Vietnam War (7)
  • Olinto M. Barsanti, U.S. Army: World War II (4), Korean War (1), Vietnam War (2)
  • Lionel C. McGarr, U.S. Army: World War II (5), Korean War (2)
  • Robert L. Schweitzer, U.S. Army: Vietnam War (7)

See also

In Spanish: Corazón Púrpura para niños

• DEA Purple Heart Award
• Gold Star Lapel Button
• Law Enforcement Purple Heart
• Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom
• Texas Purple Heart Medal
• Wound stripe
• List of wound decorations