The Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is the oldest U.S. military decoration awarded to military personnel. The Purple Heart was first established by George Washington, commander in chief of the Continental Army, in Newburgh, New York, on
August 7, 1782.

The Purple Heart was originally known as the Badge of Military Merit. It was made of cloth and only awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers. Sergeant William Brown of the 5th Connecticut Regiment of the Connecticut Line, Sergeant Elijah Churchill of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, and Sergeant Daniel Bissell of the 2nd Connecticut Regiment of the Connecticut Line. All three soldiers personally received the badge from General Washington himself in 1783.

Although the award was never abolished, it was not proposed again until April 5, 1917, during World War I. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services has been wounded or killed.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart released findings of its research into the number of Purple Hearts awarded by U.S. Conflicts since 1932.

Noting the numbers listed are an estimate of data researched of Purple Heart recipients during a specific military conflict identified in Killed in Action and Wounded in Action.

The Revolutionary War: Three Purple Hearts Awarded.

The Civil War: The Purple Heart was not awarded to Veterans of the Civil War.

World War I: 53,402 Purple Hearts Awarded for personnel Killed in Action and 204,002 Purple Hearts Awarded for personnel Wounded in Action.

World War II: 291,557 Purple Hearts Awarded for personnel Killed in Action and 670,846 Purple Hearts Awarded for personnel Wounded in Action.

Korean War: 33,686 Purple Hearts Awarded for personnel Killed in Action and 92,134 Purple Hearts Awarded for personnel Wounded in Action.

Vietnam War: 47,424 Purple Hearts Awarded for personnel Killed in Action and 153,303 personnel Wounded in Action.

Persian Gulf War: 149 Purple Hearts Awarded for personnel Killed in Action and 849 Purple Hearts Awarded for personnel Wounded in Action.

Global War on Terrorism Afghanistan: 1,856 Purple Hearts Awarded for personnel Killed in Action and 20,320 Purple Hearts Awarded for personnel Wounded in Action.

Global War on Terrorism Iraq: 3,836 Purple Hearts Awarded for personnel Killed in Action and 32,222 Purple Hearts Awarded for personnel Wounded in Action.

The most Purple Hearts ever awarded to single personnel were: 10.

Charles D. Barger, U.S. Army, World War I – 10 Purple Hearts Awarded.

William G. White, U.S. Army, World War II – 9 Purple Hearts Awarded. Korean War – 1 Purple Heart Awarded.

Curry T. Haynes, U.S. Army, Vietnam War – 10 Purple Hearts Awarded.

Albert L. Ireland, U.S. Marine Corps, World War II – 5 Purple Hearts Awarded. Korean War – 4 Purple Hearts Awarded.

John J. Duffy, U.S. Army, Vietnam War – 8 Purple Hearts Awarded.

Robert T. Frederick, U.S. Army, World War II – 8 Purple Hearts Awarded.

David H. Hackworth, U.S. Army, Korean War – 3 Purple Hearts Awarded. Vietnam War – 5 Purple Hearts Awarded.

Joe Hooper, U.S. Army, Vietnam War – 8 Purple Hearts Awarded. 1 – Medal of Honor.

Robert L. Howard, U.S. Army, Vietnam War – 8 Purple Hearts Awarded. 1 – Medal of Honor.

William Waugh, U.S. Army, Vietnam War – 8 Purple Hearts Awarded.

There are numerous notable recipients of the Purple Heart as well and some of them are, actors, Audie Murphy, James Arness, Dan Blocker, Art Carney, Charles Durning, Dale Dye, James Garner, Russell Johnson, Lee Marvin, and Rod Serling. Others include, John McCain, U.S. Senator from Arizona. Pat Tillman, National League Football player, Oliver Stone, film director, and Chuck Yeager, Air Force pilot. There are many more, but too numerous to name here.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is in New Windsor, New York.

National Purple Heart Day is celebrated annually on August 7th to honor

U. S. service members who were wounded or killed because of enemy action while serving in the military.