Purple Heart

PH - PURPLE HEART

Eligibility Requirements

T he Purple Heart was established by General George Washington at Newburgh, New York, on 7 August 1782, during the Revolutionary War. It was reestablished by the President of the United States per War Department General Orders 3, 1932 and is currently awarded pursuant to Executive Order 11016, 25 April 1962, Executive Order12464, 23 February 1984 and Public Law 98–525, 19 October 1984. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded*.

• In any action against an enemy of the United States
• In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged.
• While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
• As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces.
• As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force.
• As the result of friendly weapon fire while actively engaging the enemy.
• As the indirect result of enemy action. (example: injuries resulting from parachuting from a plane brought down by enemy or hostile fire.)
• As the result of maltreatment inflicted by their captors while a prisoner of war.
• After 28 March 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of Navy, or jointly by the Secretaries of the separate armed services concerned if persons from more than one service are wounded in the attack.
• After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.

*wound:  an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or agent, sustained while in action as described in the eligibility requirements. A physical lesion is not required, provided the concussion or other form of injury received was a result of the action in which engaged.

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Sample Citation

Socities / External Links

Military order of purple heart