| Place | North & Central America: United States of America |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL25146.004 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Award |
| Physical description | Gilded bronze; Enamel |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United States of America |
| Date made | 1939-1945 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
United States Purple Heart
Description
United States Purple Heart award is a heart-shaped medal within a gold border, 1 3/8 inches (35 mm) wide, containing a profile of General George Washington. Above the heart appears a shield of the coat of arms of George Washington (a white shield with two red bars and three red stars in chief) between sprays of green leaves. The reverse consists of a raised bronze heart with the words 'FOR MILITARY MERIT' below the coat of arms and leaves. The suspender is a loose rectangular ring and the ribbon is purple with white edges. With the medal is a separate ribbon bar.
History / Summary
The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917, has been wounded or killed.