What You Need to Know About the Purple Heart Medal on National Purple Heart Day

If you have been on my website before, you know I had a couple different careers prior to becoming a travel advisor. While this is my dream job, I believe my previous positions have played a huge part in how I am able to help people travel the world now. You have probably heard me mention how I was in the Air Force. And how that allowed me to travel the world. I believe those travels allowed me to fall in love with seeing every single destination I possibly could. On this National Purple Heart Day, I thought I would share more information about the Purple Heart and those who are given this prestigious honor.

What You Need to Know About the Purple Heart Medal on National Purple Heart Day

Oldest Military Award Still Presented to Members of the Military

The Purple Heart Medal was created back in 1782. It replaced the Fidelity Medallion, which was created in 1780. A Purple Heart Medal is given to those military members who have been wounded or killed during enemy action.

The Purple Heart Medal is Given to All Ranks

The Purple Heart Medal was one of the first military awards to be given to all ranks. To this day, any ranking service member can receive a Purple Heart for being wounded or killed in enemy action.

The Purple Heart Medal Today

When the Purple Heart was first created, it was a piece of purple cloth. That changed in 1932, when General Douglas MacArthur had the medal redesigned. The current Purple Heart Medal features George Washington (who was the person to create the Purple Heart).

When this medal was redesigned, it was also decided that Purple Heart Medals could be given posthumously.

Who Received the First Purple Heart?

The first person to receive the Purple Heart Medal was Army General Douglas MacArthur. He received the medal for his service during World War II.

Who are the Most Famous Purple Heart Recipients?

Every Purple Heart Medal recipient deserves to be honored every day. However, there are certain recipients who were more than household names. The most famous Purple Heart Medal recipients include Pat Tillman, James Garner, Charles Bronson, Kurt Vonnegut, and Oliver Stone.

Animals have even earned this prestigious award. The two that come to mind include Sgt. Reckless the horse and Sgt. Stubby the dog.

Who Was the First Woman to Earn a Purple Heart?

Back in 1942, Lieutenant Annie G. Fox was the first woman to receive the Purple Heart Medal. She was the chief nurse at Hickman Field during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Cordelia “Betty” Cook also received a Purple Heart. But she was the first woman to receive that award and the Bronze Star.

Was Any President Awarded the Purple Heart?

John F. Kennedy is the only President who earned a Purple Heart Medal for his military service. He was injured near the Solomon Islands when a Japanese destroyer collided with his patrol boat during World War II.

Can Military Personnel Receive More than One Purple Heart?

Service members can receive more than one Purple Heart during their military career. Curry T. Haynes received a total of ten Purple Heart Medals for his service during the Vietnam War.

While there is so much more you could learn about Purple Heart Medals, these are the things you should know. I met my husband through the Air Force. And two of my children are now serving in the military. My son, Jonathan, is in the Marines. And my daughter, Caitlynne, is in the Air Force.