Purple Heart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Purple Heart |
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| Awarded for | Obverse profile of George Washington |
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The Purple Heart (also known as PH) is a special United States military decoration. It is given in the name of the president to members of the U.S. military who are wounded or killed while serving. This award has been given since April 5, 1917.
The Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members. Its history goes back to the Badge of Military Merit. This original badge was a heart made of purple cloth. You can learn more about the Purple Heart at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York.
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The Purple Heart: A Brief History
The very first Purple Heart was called the Badge of Military Merit. It was created by George Washington on August 7, 1782. At that time, Washington was the leader of the Continental Army. He made this order from his headquarters in Newburgh, New York.
Early Awards and Revival Efforts
During the American Revolutionary War, Washington personally gave the Badge of Military Merit to only three soldiers. He also allowed his officers to give out the badges. Even though the award was never officially stopped, it wasn't suggested again until after World War I.
In 1927, Army Chief of Staff General Charles Pelot Summerall wanted to bring the Badge of Military Merit back. A plan was sent to Congress, but it was later stopped. However, all the information gathered was saved for future use. Many people and groups wanted the medal to be brought back.
Designing the Modern Purple Heart
In 1931, General Douglas MacArthur secretly started working on a new design for the medal. He worked with the Washington Commission of Fine Arts. Elizabeth Will, an Army expert in heraldry (the study of coats of arms and symbols), was chosen to redesign the medal. This new medal became known as the Purple Heart.
Will used general ideas given to her to create the design. The new medal shows a profile (side view) of George Washington. It was released on the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth.
Three sculptors created models for the medal. The design by John R. Sinnock was chosen in May 1931. The Purple Heart was officially brought back on February 22, 1932. This was done by an order from the president of the United States. It honored George Washington's memory and his military achievements.
Who Could Receive the Award?
The rules for the Purple Heart were announced on February 22, 1932. Soldiers who had received certain other awards or had been wounded after April 5, 1917, could apply. The very first Purple Heart was given to General MacArthur.
At the start of World War II (from December 8, 1941, to September 22, 1943), the Purple Heart was given for both wounds received in battle and for doing a great job. However, after the Legion of Merit award was created, the Purple Heart was only given for wounds.
By December 3, 1942, the award was for all military branches. It was only given for wounds received. During World War II, both military and civilian people could get the Purple Heart if they met the rules.
Some U.S. Army soldiers wounded in earlier conflicts, like the American Civil War and Spanish–American War, also received the Purple Heart after it was brought back in 1932. The main rules were that the person had to be alive and prove they needed medical treatment for their wound.
Later, the rules were updated to include awards for:
- Posthumous awards (awards given after someone has passed away).
- Injuries from terrorist attacks.
- Injuries while serving in a peacekeeping force.
In 1985, the Purple Heart was given a higher rank among military awards. It was also allowed for wounds from "friendly fire" (when a soldier is accidentally wounded by their own side). Later, former prisoner of wars who were wounded after April 25, 1962, could also receive it. In 1998, the rules changed again, so only military members could receive the Purple Heart.
Purple Heart Numbers
During World War II, about 1.5 million Purple Heart medals were made. Many were made because a large number of injuries were expected from the planned invasion of Japan. After the war, almost 500,000 medals were left over.
The total number of American military injuries in the 70 years after World War II (including the Korean War and Vietnam War) did not use up this surplus. In 2000, there were still 120,000 Purple Heart medals in stock. This allowed units in Iraq and Afghanistan to give out Purple Hearts right away to wounded soldiers. Since 2000, thousands more Purple Hearts have been made.
National Geographic estimated these numbers of Purple Hearts 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 Can Receive the Purple Heart?
The Purple Heart is given to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who has been wounded or killed while serving after April 5, 1917. This includes injuries from:
- Any action against an enemy of the United States.
- Any action with an opposing armed force from another country.
- Serving with friendly foreign forces fighting an armed conflict where the U.S. is not directly involved.
- An act by an enemy or opposing armed force.
- An act by any hostile foreign force.
The rules were updated in 1962 to include injuries while serving with friendly foreign forces or from hostile foreign forces. This was important during the Vietnam War. Many U.S. service members were advisors and not officially combatants. This change made sure they could receive the award if they were wounded or killed.
After March 28, 1973, the Purple Heart can also be given for injuries from international terrorist attacks. It can also be awarded for military operations while serving outside the U.S. as part of a peacekeeping force.
How Wounds Qualify
Unlike most other awards, you don't get "recommended" for a Purple Heart. If a service member meets the specific rules, they are entitled to it. 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 multiple wounds received at the same time.
A "wound" is an injury to any part of the body from an outside force. It must have happened under the conditions listed above. The injury doesn't have to be a visible cut or bruise. However, it must have needed treatment by a medical officer. Records of the treatment must be official.
The main thing commanders consider is 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 things caused by enemy action.
- Injuries from enemy land mines, naval mines, or booby traps.
- Injuries from enemy chemical, biological, or nuclear agents.
- Injuries from vehicle or aircraft accidents caused by enemy fire.
- Concussion injuries from enemy explosions.
Injuries that do not qualify 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.
- Diseases not directly caused by enemy agents.
- Accidents (explosions, aircraft, vehicles) not caused by enemy action.
- Self-inflicted wounds (unless in the heat of battle and not due to carelessness).
- Post-traumatic stress disorders.
- Jump injuries not caused by enemy action.
Commanders must also think about the situation around an injury. For example, if someone is hurt while landing a parachute from an aircraft shot down by enemy fire, they would get the award. Also, if someone is hurt in a vehicle accident caused by enemy fire, they would get the award.
People wounded or killed by "friendly fire" in the "heat of battle" also receive the Purple Heart. This is if the "friendly" shot or agent was meant to harm or destroy enemy forces. However, people injured by their own carelessness, like walking into a known minefield, will not get the Purple Heart. This is because their injury was not caused by enemy action.
Animals are usually not eligible for the Purple Heart. But in rare cases, military animals with rank have received the award. Examples include the horse Sergeant Reckless during the Korean War and the dog Sergeant Stubby during World War I.
Former Eligibility for Civilians
From 1942 to 1997, non-military people working with the armed forces could receive the Purple Heart. This included government employees, Red Cross workers, and war correspondents. For example, nine Honolulu Fire Department firefighters received the award for injuries during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
About 100 non-military people received the award. The most famous was newspaperman Ernie Pyle. He received a Purple Heart after he was killed by Japanese machine gun fire in World War II.
However, in 1997, Congress changed the law. This stopped future Purple Heart awards for non-military people. Civilian employees of the U.S. Department of Defense who are killed or wounded by hostile action can now receive the new Defense of Freedom Medal. This award was created after the September 11 attacks.
What the Purple Heart Looks Like
The Purple Heart medal is a 1+3⁄8-inch-wide (35 mm) heart shape. It is purple and gold and made of a brass-alloy. It shows a profile of General George Washington.
Above the heart is a shield from the coat of arms of George Washington. This shield is white with two red bars and three red stars. Green leaves are on either side of the shield. The back of the medal has a raised bronze heart with the words FOR MILITARY MERIT below the coat of arms and leaves.
The ribbon is 1+3⁄8 inches (35 mm) wide. It has a 1⁄8 inch (3.2 mm) white stripe, a 1+1⁄8 inches (29 mm) purple stripe, and another 1⁄8 inch (3.2 mm) white stripe.
How Awards Are Shown
If someone receives more than one Purple Heart, it's shown with special devices. The Army, Air Force, and Space Force use oak leaf clusters. The Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard use 5⁄16 inch stars.
How the Purple Heart is Given Out
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Today, active duty military members receive the Purple Heart after their commanders recommend it. The recommendation explains the injury and the action where the service member was wounded. The power to award the Purple Heart is usually held by a high-level commander, like an Army Brigade or Marine Corps Division leader.
Even though the award is usually given automatically for combat wounds, each award is checked. This makes sure the wounds were truly caused by enemy action. Modern Purple Heart awards are recorded in both paper and electronic military records. The service member receives an official certificate.
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In past wars, like the Vietnam War, Korean War, and World War II, the Purple Heart was often given on the spot. Sometimes, these awards were not fully recorded in official papers. This caused problems later when service records were closed after discharge.
It was common for some commanders to give out Purple Hearts at hospitals without official records. Sometimes, soldiers would leave hospitals quickly to rejoin their units. In these cases, the award and even the hospital visit might not be recorded.
Service members who want a Purple Heart award from the past must usually apply through the National Personnel Records Center. After reviewing their records, qualified Army members receive the Purple Heart from the U.S. Army Human Resources Command in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Other branches have their own offices for this.
Famous Purple Heart Recipients
Many brave individuals have received the Purple Heart. Here are some of them:
- Bryan Anderson, an Iraq War veteran who lost three limbs.
- James Arness, an actor.
- John Basilone, a Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient from WWII.
- Rocky Bleier, an NFL player for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Charles Bronson, an actor.
- Kyle Carpenter, a Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient.
- Alwyn Cashe, a U.S. Army sergeant first class, who received the Medal of Honor.
- Wesley Clark, a former top general in Europe for NATO.
- Cordelia E. Cook, the first woman to receive both the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
- Dan Crenshaw, a U.S. Representative from Texas and former Navy SEAL.
- Bob Dole, a former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate, received two Purple Hearts.
- Desmond Doss, a WWII Medal of Honor recipient.
- Tammy Duckworth, a U.S. Senator from Illinois.
- Charles Durning, an actor.
- James Garner, an actor, received two Purple Hearts.
- Salvatore Giunta, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Afghanistan War.
- Calvin L. Graham, the youngest Purple Heart recipient at 12 years old in WWII.
- David Hackworth, a writer, received eight Purple Hearts.
- Daniel Inouye, a U.S. Senator from Hawaii and Medal of Honor recipient from WWII.
- John F. Kennedy, a Navy veteran from WWII and the 35th president of the United States.
- John Kerry, a former U.S. Secretary of State, received three Purple Hearts.
- Ron Kovic, a Marine Corps veteran and anti-war activist.
- Jessica Lynch, a U.S. Army private first class.
- Douglas MacArthur, a U.S. Army general.
- John McCain, a Navy POW during Vietnam and a U.S. Senator from Arizona.
- Doris Miller, a Navy Cross recipient for heroic actions at Pearl Harbor.
- Robert Mueller, a Marine Corps platoon commander and former FBI director.
- Audie Murphy, a Medal of Honor recipient and actor, received three Purple Hearts.
- Michael P. Murphy, a Medal of Honor recipient and Navy SEAL.
- George S. Patton, a famous general.
- Colin Powell, an Army general and former U.S. Secretary of State.
- Sergeant Reckless, a Marine war horse, received two awards.
- Matthew Ridgway, an Army general.
- Theodore Roosevelt Jr., son of President Theodore Roosevelt.
- Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., the general who led forces during Operation Desert Storm.
- Rod Serling, a screenwriter and TV host.
- Eric Shinseki, a former Army Chief of Staff.
- Randy Shughart, a Delta Force sniper and Medal of Honor recipient.
- Warren Spahn, a Major League Baseball (MLB) player.
- James Stockdale, a Navy vice admiral and POW, received the Medal of Honor.
- Oliver Stone, a Vietnam veteran and film director.
- Sergeant Stubby, an Army K9 dog from WWI, received two awards.
- Pat Tillman, an Army Ranger and NFL player.
- Matt Urban, an Army veteran, received seven Purple Hearts.
- Kurt Vonnegut Jr., an author, for injuries from frostbite.
- Chuck Yeager, an Air Force general and famous pilot.
- Louis Zamperini, a U.S. Olympian.
Most Purple Heart Awards
Some individuals have received the Purple Heart many times:
- Ten Purple Hearts:
- Charles D. Barger, U.S. Army, Medal of Honor: World War I (10)
- William G."Bill" White, U.S. Army: World War II (9), Korean War (1)
- Curry T. Haynes, U.S. Army: Vietnam War (10)
- Nine Purple Hearts:
- Albert L. Ireland, U.S. Marine Corps: World War II (5), Korean War (4)
- Eight Purple Hearts:
- John J. Duffy, U.S. Army: Vietnam War (8)
- Robert T. Frederick, U.S. Army: World War II (8)
- David H. 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)
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
- Thomas Jefferson Star for Foreign Service (State Department)
- Wound stripe
- List of wound decorations
