CRITERIA

Since April 5, 1917, any United States Armed Force member acting in that capacity that has been wounded or killed is eligible to be awarded the Purple Heart in the name of the President of the United States.

DESIGN

The current Purple Heart medal was developed by General Douglas MacArthur in 1932, and designed by Army heraldic specialist Miss Elisabeth Will in the Office of the Quartermaster General.

A metal, plastic, or enamel heart replaced Washington’s original fabric design.  The heart of rich purple is bordered with gold, and features a bust of Washington at the center.  The use of purple was “associated with royalty and would stand out on any uniform.”

ORIGINS

The Purple Heart is the oldest known United States military decoration still in use.  The award’s roots and use of purple can be traced to George Washington’s efforts to recognize all soldiers in the Continental Army, as opposed to the European practice of recognizing only those of high rank.  Washington created the “Badge of Military Merit,” which he described:

The General ever desirous to cherish a virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military Merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with a due reward.

Three people received the Badge of Military Merit during the American Revolutionary War from General Washington.  Other recipients have been noted in studies of discharge papers.

DEBATE

There is movement to recognize Traumatic Brain Injury eligibility for the Purple Heart medal.  [see http://www.recognizethesacrifice.org/ ]

RECIPIENTS

Award recipients include athletes (Pat Tillman, Rocky Bleier), politicians (John F. Kennedy, John Kerry), generals (Norman Schwarzkopf, Colin Powell, Chuck Yeager), artists (Rod Serling, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., James Arness),  and Medal of Honor recipients (Salvatore Giunta, Audie Murphy).

Over half of the estimated 1.7 million total Purple Heart awards to date went to World War II recipients.

LINKS

• http://www.purpleheart.org/DownLoads/HistoryOfThePurpleHeart.pdf
• http://www.purpleheart.org/Downloads/Raymond%20Badge%20of%20Merit.pdf
• http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129711544
• http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/washington-creates-the-purple-heart
• http://www.purplehearts.net/id6.html