Can a civilian earn a Purple Heart?

At first, the Purple Heart was only available to soldiers, but in 1942 Congress changed the rules for earning the award, authorizing it only for wounds, and made it available to all services, including some civilians.

Can you get a Purple Heart without being in combat?

Eligibility for a Purple Heart applies to service members who suffered a wound: 1) As the direct or indirect result of enemy action, and 2) The wound required treatment by a medical officer at the time of the injury.

Is Purple Heart only for army?

Effective this date, the Purple Heart is limited to American military personnel and civilian awards are eliminated. The Department of Defense authorizes the Purple Heart for POWs (after December 7, 1941) who subsequently die in captivity.

Is it illegal to buy a Purple Heart?

However, after the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 was struck down, it is no longer illegal to purchase all other military medals. While a number of these Purple Hearts on the market have been given away by family members who inherited them, some soldiers desperately in need of cash actually pawn the medals.

How do I request a Purple Heart?

To apply by mail or email, download the Membership Application. Complete the form; submit the fee along with the required documentation. If you have any questions, email [email protected] or call 703-642-5360 ext. 109 for Membership.

Combat Wounded | How I Got the Purple Heart

What is the hardest medal to get in the military?

How much money is a Purple Heart worth?

The value of the Purple Heart is immeasurable. The courage and bravery exhibited to receive a Purple Heart cannot be measured financially. A person awarded with a Purple Heart is an American hero. That said, the metal used to manufacture the actual medal is not very valuable.

Can you wear a Purple Heart on civilian clothes?

Retirees and veterans can wear all categories of medals on appropriate civilian clothing. This includes clothes designed for veteran and patriotic organizations.

What does a Purple Heart entitle you to?

If you are wounded bad enough you get free medical care from the VA for life. You will also get a service connected disability check. Depending on the percentage of how much you are disabled. Depending on your state, you can receive 100% of your college paid for.

Is a Purple Heart real gold?

While gold in color, the Purple Heart does not actually contain real gold. Rather, it's made of a gilding metal. The copper alloy is comprised of copper and zinc, technically making it a form of brass. The value of the metals used in the manufacture of Purple Hearts is not high.

Do Purple Heart soldiers get paid?

Some Purple Heart retirees may be entitled to Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC). CRSC is awarded to military retirees who have a combat-related injury that results in a VA service-connected disability rating of at least 10%.

Do Purple Heart recipients get paid?

To all Purple Heart recipients, our Nation is grateful for your selfless service. Please know that you may be eligible for VA disability compensation for any injuries you sustained in service or related to service. More information on how to submit a disability claim can be found on the va.gov website.

What does a 💜 stand for?

The Purple Heart emoji 💜 depicts a classic representation of a heart, colored purple. It is commonly used to represent love, support, close bonds, and admiration for things that have some relation to the color purple.

What warrants a Purple Heart?

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. A Purple Heart is a solemn distinction and means a service member has greatly sacrificed themselves, or paid the ultimate price, while in the line of duty.

Does PTSD qualify for Purple Heart?

HOWEVER, PTSD AND OTHER COMBAT STRESS INJURIES DO NOT MEET THE PH ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT THAT THE INJURY MUST BE THE DIRECT OR INDIRECT RESULT OF ENEMY ACTION. THIS POSITION WAS REAFFIRMED BY THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE IN NOV 2008.

Would a Purple Heart be listed on a dd214?

The record in this case contains two Department of Defense (DD) Form 214's, identical in all aspects (including the listing of the veteran's military specialty as auto mechanic) but one: the first DD 214 does not list the Purple Heart Medal among the veteran's awards and citations, and the second contains the words " ...

Who has the most Purple Hearts ever received?

Patton and Medal of Honor Recipient Charles Barger. Charles Barger and Vietnam War Veteran Curry T. Haynes have received the most Purple Heart medals ever in American military history, with each credited with 10 medals for their actions in combat.

Do Medal of Honor winners pay taxes?

Medal of Honor Recipient Benefits

A special tax-free Medal of Honor pension of $1,619.34 per month above and beyond any military pensions or other benefits for which they may be eligible.

How many times can you get a Purple Heart?

The Purple Heart Medal is an award that can be bestowed multiple times to a single individual. Service members can receive multiple Purple Heart Medals throughout their military careers. U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Albert Ireland was awarded the Purple Heart medal nine times over a 12-year period.

Can I wear my medals to a funeral?

Service medals are worn at appropriate ceremonial functions such as parades, presentations, general meetings and funerals. All service medals must be worn over the left breast, in order of precedence from the centre of the body outwards. When there are more than five medals, they are to be overlapped.

Can you sell a military Purple Heart?

The medal is technically owned by the government until the person has either left the military or is deceased. Can you sell a purple heart medal? Yes you can currently sell purple heart medals, but not all collectors will buy them and some selling platforms like eBay prohibit you listing these medals for sale.

Is it illegal to buy military medals?

The Act made it illegal for unauthorized persons to wear, buy, sell, barter, trade, or manufacture "any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces." In the 18 months after the act was enacted, the ...

How many Purple Hearts are left?

The WWII Purple Heart Medal Surplus

So what happened to all of the other Purple Heart medals? With a surplus of nearly 450,000 medals after WWII and as many as 120,000 still in stock as of the year 2000, they are still being awarded now along with newly-minted medals.

Can you sell a Purple Heart on eBay?

While eBay does not allow the listing of individual Purple Heart medals, you can often find affordable memorabilia associated with the Purple Heart medal, such as presentation cases or ribbons on eBay for your collection.