US Purple Heart

The Military Order of the Purple Heart, commonly called ?The Purple Heart,? is an American decoration. The oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first award made available to a common soldier. The medal was established by General George Washington, at Newburgh, New York, on 7 August 1782, during the Revolutionary War. It was re-established by the President of the United States in 1932. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded (1) In any action against an enemy of the United States. (2) In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged. (3) While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. (4) As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces. (5) As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force. (6) After 28 March 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of the Army, or jointly by the Secretaries of the separate armed Services concerned if persons from more than one service are wounded in the attack. (7) After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force. The revived form is of metal, instead of perishable cloth, made in the shape of a rich purple heart bordered with gold, with a bust of Washington in the center and the Washington coat-of-arms at the top. The latter is believed to have been the source of the stars and stripes of the American Flag. Intrinsically, the Purple Heart is the world's costliest military decoration - nineteen separate operations are required to make it from the rough heart stamped from bronze to the finished medal, plated with gold and enameled in various colors, suspended from a purple and white ribbon.