8 Things You Didn’t Know About The Purple Heart
On August 7th, Purple Heart Day, the nation pauses to acknowledge and remember the sacrifices made by those brave men and women in our military.
The Purple Heart medal is presented to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. military. More than 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been presented to service members since the award was created in 1782.
In honor of Purple Heart Day, here are eight facts about the history of the Purple Heart Medal and its recipients:
1. It’s the Oldest Military Award Still Presented to American Service Members
The Purple Heart’s first predecessor, the Fidelity Medallion, was created in 1780 by the Continental Congress, but was only awarded to three soldiers that year.
2. By the People, For the People
In the years before 1782, when the Purple Heart’s predecessor was first created, most military awards were only given to officers who had secured grand victories in battle. The Purple Heart was one of the first awards in military history that could be given to lower-ranking, enlisted soldiers or non-commissioned officers for their outstanding service.
3. Today’s Purple Heart
Thanks to Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the Purple Heart officially received its modern-day look and name in 1932. The revived medal was designated primarily as a combat decoration, recognizing commendable action as well as those wounded or killed in combat.
4. Who Received the First Purple Heart in U.S. History?
During the Revolutionary War, Continental Army soldiers William Brown and Elijah Churchill were the first soldiers to receive the Badge of Military Merit, the predecessor to the Purple Heart. Brown was most likely bestowed the honor for his service during the Siege of Yorktown, while Churchill was recognized for his gallantry at a battle near Fort St. George on Long Island.
The first service member to receive the modern-day Purple Heart was Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur for his service in the Pacific theater (specifically in the Philippines) during World War II.
5. Famous Recipients
Although each Purple Heart recipient deserves widespread recognition, a handful of honorees standout as household names, such as the legendary Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller.
Other famous Purple Heart recipients include actors (such as James Arness, Charles Bronson, James Garner, Rod Serling), writers (Kurt Vonnegut, Oliver Stone), athletes (Warren Spahn, Pat Tillman, Rocky Belier), politicians (John Kerry, Colin Powell, Tammy Duckworth, John McCain) and even animals (Sergeant Stubby the dog and Sergeant Reckless the horse).
6. Two Women, One First
In 1942, Army Lt. Annie G. Fox became the first woman to receive a Purple Heart for her heroic actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Fox, who was serving as the chief nurse at Hickam Field, Hawaii, remained calm throughout the attack on Pearl Harbor and her hospital, and successfully directed hospital staff to tend to the wounded as they came in from harbor.
7. Only One Presidential Recipient
President John F. Kennedy is the only U.S. president with a Purple Heart.
Kennedy, who served in the Navy during World War II, injured his back when a Japanese destroyer collided with his patrol torpedo boat near the Solomon Islands. As his boat sank, Kennedy refused to let his injury stop him from towing a badly burned crew member to safety. Kennedy swam with the man’s life jacket strap clenched between his teeth for three miles before reaching an island and bringing the man safely to shore.
Kennedy was also awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his actions.
8. A Perfect 10
Curry T. Haynes currently holds the record for the largest number of Purple Hearts bestowed upon a single service member.
Haynes, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, was awarded his first Purple Heart after an ambush in the jungle, where he was shot in the arm. After surgery in Japan, he returned to the front where his actions would later result in being awarded his nine additional Purple Hearts. In the span of one assault – which involved dodging multiple grenades – Haynes sustained a series of injuries, including the loss of two fingers.
He later received nine Purple Hearts – one for each wound – and passed away in July 2017 from cancer.
Source: USO.ORG
