National Purple Heart Day, on Saturday, August 7, 2027, honors Americans wounded or killed in combat. It also marks George Washington’s order of August 7, 1782, which created the award’s forerunner.
When Is National Purple Heart Day?
Every August 7, the anniversary of that order. The Senate has backed it with resolutions, including one supporting National Purple Heart Recognition Day on August 7, 2018. It is a day of recognition, not a federal holiday.
From Washington’s Badge to the Modern Medal
At his headquarters in Newburgh, New York, Washington created the Badge of Military Merit. It was a heart of purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace, worn over the left breast, the VA says.
He meant it for “singularly meritorious action.” Honored soldiers could pass guards and sentinels the way officers could, and their names went into a book of merit.
Washington wanted proof first. Candidates needed papers from their regiment and brigade commanders.
Only three recipients are known: Sergeants Daniel Bissell, William Brown and Elijah Churchill. The badge then fell out of use, for reasons no one knows.
Revived in 1932
The idea came back slowly. In October 1927, Gen. Charles Summerall proposed asking Congress to bring back the badge.
Army Chief of Staff Douglas MacArthur picked it up in 1931. Elizabeth Will, an Army design expert, drew the medal, and a model by John Sinnock of the Philadelphia Mint won out over two others.
On February 22, 1932, Washington’s 200th birthday, the War Department announced the award. It bears his profile on purple enamel, with “For Military Merit” on the back.
World War I veterans who wore wound stripes could apply first. Until the Legion of Merit was created in 1942, the Purple Heart also served as a merit award, the American Legion notes.
Who can receive it
Rules grew over time. In 1942, President Roosevelt opened it to all branches, and President Truman later pushed eligibility back to April 5, 1917.
In 1962, President Kennedy allowed posthumous awards. Two decades later, in 1984, President Reagan extended it to troops hurt in terrorist attacks or on peacekeeping duty.
Civilians serving with the military could receive it from 1962 until 1998.
Honoring the Wounded and the Fallen
It is the oldest U.S. military decoration still in use, a 2018 Senate resolution notes. An estimated 1.8 million people have received it.
Records are incomplete, partly because of fires, the American Legion says. Kennedy remains the only president to have earned one, for his Navy service in World War II.
Many stories are kept in one place. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York, collects them.
How to Observe the Day
- Thank a Purple Heart recipient in your family or community.
- Share a recipient’s story with the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, which depends on families for its records.
- Visit the Hall of Honor in New Windsor, New York.
- Request a replacement medal for a relative through the National Archives at archives.gov.
- Read Washington’s 1782 order and the 1932 War Department order that revived the award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have animals received the Purple Heart?
Two famous ones did: Sgt. Stubby, a dog, and Sgt. Reckless, a horse.
Who earned the most Purple Hearts?
Charles Barger, Curry Haynes and William “Bill” White each earned 10.
Does the medal bring VA benefits?
Recipients get VA enrollment priority group 3 and skip hospital and outpatient copays, though the medal alone doesn’t qualify anyone for disability pay.
Where does it rank among U.S. decorations?
Just below the Bronze Star and above the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.