Purple Heart facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Purple Heart
Purple Heart Medal
Awarded by the Department of Defense Department of Homeland Security
Type	Military medal (Decoration)
Eligibility	Military personnel
Awarded for	"Being wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces"
Status	Currently awarded
Description	Obverse profile of George Washington
Statistics
First awarded	February 22, 1932
Total awarded	Approximately 1,910,162 (as of June 5, 2010)
Precedence
Next (higher)	Bronze Star Medal
Next (lower)	Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Purple Heart Service Ribbon

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration. It is awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed, while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military. It is the successor to the Badge of Military Merit, which took the form of a heart made of purple cloth. The Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York.

History

The original Purple Heart, called the "Badge of Military Merit", was established by George Washington in 1782. The Badge of Military Merit was only awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers. If any more had been awarded, any records of being given that award have been lost. The badge was never abolished, it was just forgotten about until after World War I.

In 1932 General Douglas MacArthur urged the revival of the Purple Heart medal and he was awarded the first one. The War Department authorized the medal under General Order Number 3. The award was "to be awarded to persons who, while serving in the Army of the United States perform any singular meritorious act of extraordinary fidelity or essential service."

With the establishment of the Legion of Merit award, the Purple Heart was no longer awarded for meritorious service. By Executive Order 9277, dated December 3, 1942, the award was to only be given for wounds received. Additional Executive orders added circumstances where the award can be given. In 1962 it was ordered the medal could be given posthumously (after the person died). A 1984 change allowed the award to be given for woulds as a result of terrorist attacks or while serving as part of a peacekeeping force. In 1986 public Law 99-145 authorized the award for wounds received as a result of friendly fire.

Because the medal was given out during many conflicts, the exact number of Purple Hearts awarded is not known.

Order of Precedence

The Silver Star is worn on the uniform after the Bronze Star Medal. It is to be worn before the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. In the Army and Air Force when a second or more Purple Heart is awarded, oak leaf clusters are used. The Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard use 5/16 inch stars to show multiple awards.

Images for kids

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  Sign on Interstate 35 designating the Purple Heart Trail.

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  Purple Heart Memorial, Westland, Michigan

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  Admiral Mike Mullen reads the citations for seven soldiers receiving Purple Hearts for wounds sustained in Afghanistan

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  A soldier is awarded the Purple Heart during a ceremony on Coleman Barracks

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  Lapel Pin

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  Purple Heart Medal with 5⁄16 Inch Gold Star in presentation case. USN-USMC, World War II.

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  Congressman Christopher Smith presented the Purple Heart Medal to Tuskegee Airman Tech. Sgt. (Ret.) George Watson Sr. with then Col. Gina M. Grosso, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst commander

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

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  U.S. Air Force pilot Capt Lyle Bordeaux (r.) receiving the Purple Heart and Silver Star from Brig Gen Joe W. Kelly during the Korean War.

See also

In Spanish: Corazón Púrpura para niños