Purple Heart Day

Published: August 7, 2024

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A recognition of sacrifice and heroism for those who were killed or wounded in service to our Nation

The Purple Heart is the oldest military award in America. On August 7, 1782, nearing the end of the Revolutionary War, General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit to recognize heroic acts. The Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart were created from the Badge of Military Merit. The requirements were different from today's Purple Heart Medal. Like today’s Medal of Honor, soldiers in the Continental Army were awarded this medal for being heroic or performing an act that contributed to the success of the Continental Army. The Purple Heart is ranked immediately behind the Bronze Star and ahead of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal in order of precedence. Source: Department of Defense


For his services, General MacArthur received the first Purple Heart Medal.
Brief Timeline
  • Before 1942, the Purple Heart was only available to soldiers.
  • In 1942, Congress changed the rules when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9277, authorizing it for all members of service and some civilians that were wounded or killed in combat.
  • In April 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 11016 reestablishing formal rules for the award extending eligibility to any civilian national of the United States to “any civilian national of the United States, who while serving under competent authority in any capacity with an armed force…, has been, or may hereafter be, wounded.”
  • In February 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed Executive Order 12464 authorizing the award due to terrorist attacks or while serving as part of a peacekeeping force after March 28, 1973.
  • In 1998, the National Defense Authorization Act (See p. 385) removed civilians from the list of personnel eligible for the medal.
Read more about the history and timeline of the design, and criteria for the Purple Heart Medal on the Department of Veterans Affairs document "Celebrating America’s Freedoms."

Search GovInfo for other documents related to the Purple Heart Medal including 10 U.S.C. 57 - Decorations and Awards.

Did you know Sergeant Stubby was one of two dogs to receive the Purple Heart Medal?

Sergeant Stubby was one of two dogs to receive the Purple Heart Medal.
Army Sgt. Stubby, a dog who was the unofficial mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment, earned the Purple Heart twice during World War I — once for being wounded in a gas attack and once for being injured by a grenade. Stubby was promoted to Sergeant for his heroism in the trenches by warning soldiers of gas attacks and finding wounded soldiers. When President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 11016 in 1962, military service animals were no longer eligible to receive Purple Heart Medals. They could, however, earn prestigious non-profit animal organization awards.
Read more about Sargent Stubby and other facts about Purple Heart recipients you may not know on the Department of Army's webpage.


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