About
the Purple Heart

President George Washington initiated the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782, awarded for “any singularly meritorious action.” During World War I it was awarded to service members wounded or killed in action. In 1932 the Badge of Military Merit was revised by General Douglas MacArthur, Army Chief of Staff, in honor of President George Washington’s bicentennial birthday. The heart-shaped, gold-colored medal bears Washington’s image and coat of arms with a background of purple symbolizing courage and sacrifice. "FOR MILITARY MERIT" is inscribed on the back.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt expanded the Purple Heart to all military branches in 1942, including Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard, and  posthumous awards for those killed in action on or before December 7, 1941, the Pearl Harbor attack. President Harry Truman later extended eligibility back to April 5, 1917.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) was created in 1932 to recognize combat-wounded veterans. In 1957, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Foundation (Purple Heart Foundation) was developed as a non-profit organization dedicated to funding services for our nation's veterans. These organizations are not available for all those wounded by modern warfare.

The Purple Heart is considered the award “no one wants.” Yet in modern warfare, many injuries go unrecognized because they are invisible — not appearing for years, yet causing disease, disability, and death. Military members harmed by chemical, biological, and toxic exposures deserve the same honor as those wounded or killed in direct combat. Please consider signing the petition to justly recognize all those injured by war.