Purple Heart
| Purple Heart | |
|---|---|
| Type | Military medal (Decoration) |
| 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" |
| Description | Obverse profile of George Washington |
| Presented by | |
| Eligibility | Military personnel |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| First award | 22 February 1932 |
| Total | Approximately 1,910,162 (as of 5 June 2010) |
| Total awarded posthumously | Approximately 430,000 |
| Total recipients | over 2,000,000 (including eligible casualties in World War I who may not have been awarded the Purple Heart) |
| Website | media.defense.gov |
Service ribbon | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Bronze Star Medal |
| Next (lower) | Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
The Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, 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.