The Purple Heart: Background and Issues for Congress
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The Purple Heart:
Background and Issues for Congress
Updated October 2, 2024
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R42704
The Purple Heart: Background and Issues for Congress
Summary
The Purple Heart is one of the oldest and most recognized American military medals, awarded to
servicemembers who were killed or wounded by enemy action. The conflicts 2001 to the present
have greatly increased the number of Purple Hearts awarded to servicemembers.
Over the years and since 9/11, there has been ongoing debate on the eligibility criteria for the
Purple Heart. Shootings on U.S. soil and medical conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI)
and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have prompted changes to the eligibility requirements
for the Purple Heart. Some critics believe that these changes may lessen the value of the medal
and the sacrifices of past recipients on the battlefield. In the past, efforts to modify the Purple
Heart’s eligibility requirements were contentious, and veterans’ groups were vocal concerning
eligibility changes.
While medal requirements are often left to the military and executive branch to decide, Congress
is involved in Purple Heart eligibility, utilizing its constitutional power “To Make Rules for the
Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces” (U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8,
clause 14). The Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2015 (P.L. 113-291) included language that expands eligibility for the Purple
Heart.
Previous debates have raised several questions about the Purple Heart. In some respects, how an
event is defined can determine eligibility: Is a servicemember the victim of a crime or a terrorist
attack? Conversely, arguing that killed or wounded servicemembers “should” be eligible for the
Purple Heart can redefine an event: Is the servicemember an advisor to a foreign military or a
combatant? Are PTSD and other mental health conditions adequate injuries to warrant the Purple
Heart? These are questions that Congress might consider, if it chooses to act on this issue.
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The Purple Heart: Background and Issues for Congress
Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Original Conception ........................................................................................................................ 1
History of the Purple Heart.............................................................................................................. 2
Current Eligibility............................................................................................................................ 4
Benefits for Purple Heart Recipients ............................................................................................... 5
Issues for Congress .......................................................................................................................... 6
Domestic Terrorism and the FY2015 NDAA (P.L. 113-291) .................................................... 7
Little Rock, Arkansas, and Fort Hood, Texas, 2009 ........................................................... 7
NDAA for FY2016 (H.R. 1735) ......................................................................................... 8
Chattanooga Shooting on July 16, 2015 ............................................................................. 8
Attack on Paris-Bound Train, August 21, 2015 .................................................................. 9
Orlando Shooting on June 12, 2016 .................................................................................... 9
Naval Air Station Pensacola on December 6, 2019 .......................................................... 10
FY2019 NDAA and Purple Heart Recipients ......................................................................... 10
FY2023 NDAA and Purple Heart Recipients ......................................................................... 10
118th Congress Legislation .......................................................................................................11
Traumatic Brain Injuries, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the Purple Heart ................... 12
Figures
Figure 1. The Purple Heart Medal ................................................................................................. 14
Tables
Table 1. Purple Heart Legislation in the 118th Congress (2023-2024) ...........................................11
Appendixes
Appendix A. Timeline of Purple Heart Eligibility ......................................................................... 15
Appendix B. Staffer Instructions for Medal Requests ................................................................... 16
Contacts
Author Information........................................................................................................................ 16
Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................... 16
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The Purple Heart: Background and Issues for Congress
Introduction
Requirements for military awards and decorations can change over time. New events and changes
in military, political, or social conditions can generate debate over who is eligible for various
military awards. These changes tend to be controversial, especially with veterans groups.
Congress has considered several pieces of legislation that would change who would be eligible to
receive the Purple Heart, and under what conditions.
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have greatly increased the number of servicemembers receiving
the Purple Heart award1 as well as the potential conditions under which they receive the award.
Increasingly acknowledged conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), as well as accidents and other events while deployed, bring up new
questions as to when a servicemember deserves a Purple Heart. The July 17, 2015, shooting of
servicemembers at a Marine recruiting office and a naval reserve center in Chattanooga, TN,
again prompted questions about applying the Purple Heart to terrorist attacks versus criminal acts.
Veterans’ groups often voice their views when Congress or the President proposes making
changes to expand eligibility for the Purple Heart. These groups argue, for example, that a
servicemember who acquires PTSD may not always deserve the same recognition as a
servicemember killed or wounded in direct combat,2 while others contend that these medical
conditions can debilitate servicemembers just as much as physical injuries and can have lasting
effects on servicemembers’ lives. Determining which actions and events make a servicemember
qualified for receiving a Purple Heart, and whether expanding eligibility does a disservice to
those who have already earned the award, are contentious elements of this debate.
Although Congress has traditionally left many military award requirements to the executive
branch, the Constitution does allow Congress to act in this area, and events have prompted
changes regarding eligibility for the Purple Heart.3 On December 19, 2014, Congress passed The
Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for
Fiscal Year 2015. Section 571 of the NDAA for FY2015 expanded eligibility by redefining what
should be considered an attack by a “foreign terrorist organization” for purposes of determining
eligibility for the Purple Heart. As a result, servicemembers wounded and killed in the 2009
shootings in Little Rock, AR, and at Fort Hood, TX, were awarded Purple Hearts in 2015; and in
subsequent attacks including the shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola in December 2019.
Congressional offices often receive questions about Purple Heart eligibility from constituents,
especially when eligibility rules change. This report examines the history of the Purple Heart and
changes in eligibility over time as well as current issues facing Congress.
Original Conception
In 1782, George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit to reward “any singularly
meritorious action” displayed by a soldier, noncommissioned officer, or officer in the Continental
1 According to the Army Historical Foundation as of 2016, there have been over 30,000 Purple Hearts awarded since
2001. See Fred L. Borch, “The Purple Heart: The Story of America’s Oldest Military Decoration and Some Soldier
Recipients,” On Point 21, no. 3 (2016): pp. 36-43, https://www.jstor.org/stable/26365598. See also
https://armyhistory.org/the-purple-heart-the-story-of-americas-oldest-military-decoration-and-some-soldier-recipients/.
2 Gene Beresin, “Why Are We Denying Purple Hearts to Veterans with PTSD?,” Huffington Post (updated) May 3,
2015, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gene-beresin/why-are-we-denying-purple_b_6786318.html.
3 U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8, clause 14.
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Army.4 This award was intended to encourage gallantry and fidelity among soldiers, and would
later become known as the Purple Heart. Originally, this badge was meant for enlisted troops.
Before this award, the only way to recognize heroism by an enlisted soldier was to promote him,
or for a general to give him a battlefield commission.5
The Badge of Military Merit was designed as a purple heart of cloth edged with a narrow lace.6
Records are incomplete and researchers debate how many soldiers received this award. According
to Military Order of the Purple Heart, three soldiers from Connecticut were the first to receive the
Badge of Military Merit during the American Revolutionary War. All three were
noncommissioned officers and the only recipients who received the award from General
Washington. The soldiers were Sergeant William Brown, 5th Connecticut Regiment of the
Connecticut Line on May 3, 1783; Sergeant Elijah Churchill, 2nd Continental Light Dragoons on
May 3, 1783; and Sergeant Daniel Bissell, 2nd Connecticut Regiment of the Connecticut Line, on
June 10, 1783.7 However, the Badge of Military Merit fell into disuse shortly after its conception.
History of the Purple Heart
The Badge of Military Merit was not seriously considered again until General Douglas
MacArthur (then Army Chief of Staff) revived the award on February 22, 1932, the 200th
anniversary of George Washington’s birth.8
This award, renamed the “Purple Heart,” was redesigned to its modern appearance: a purple
heart-shaped medal with bronze border and George Washington’s coat of arms between two green
spray leaves. See Figure 1. General MacArthur also redefined the eligibility requirements to
those who received Meritorious Service Citation certificates from World War I or those
authorized to wear wound chevrons by Army Regulation (AR) 600-95.9 It was at this point that
the Purple Heart became focused on soldiers killed and wounded in combat, rather than “any
singularly meritorious act.”
In 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt extended the Purple Heart award, which to this point was
exclusively an Army award, to Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard members serving in World
War II.10 In 1952, President Truman retroactively awarded Purple Hearts to personnel in the
4 John C. Fitzpatrick, The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources 1745-1799, vol. 24,
(Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Publishing Office), p. 488,
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015074926000&seq=546.
5 Claudette Roulo, “The Purple Heart: America's Oldest Medal,” DOD News Feature Story, Aug. 7, 2023,
https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/1650949/the-purple-heart-americas-oldest-medal/.
6 Ibid.
7 Ray Raymond, “History of the Medal,” Military Order of the Purple Heart,
https://www.purpleheart.org/HistoryoftheMedal; and Borch, Fred. L., For Military Merit Recipients of the Purple
Heart, (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2010), pp. 16-19.
8 General Douglas MacArthur, War Department, General Orders No. 3, February 22, 1932 and Fred L. Borch, “The
Story of American’s Oldest Military Decoration and Some of its Recipients,” Prologue, Vol. 44, no. 4 (Winter 2012),
p. 18, https://www.archives.gov/files/publications/prologue/2012/winter/purple-heart.pdf.
9 U.S. Army Center of Military History, “The Badge of Military Merit/The Purple Heart,” Updated January 31, 2021,
https://history.army.mil/html/reference/purhrt.html. For current Army guidance on the Purple Heart, see AR 600-8-22,
Military Awards, updated February 19, 2024, https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30935-AR_6008-22-000-WEB-1.pdf.
10 Executive Order 9277, “Award of the Purple Heart to Persons Serving with the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard
of the United States,” 7 Federal Register 10125, December 5, 1942, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-194212-05/pdf/FR-1942-12-05.pdf.
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Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard that qualified after April 5, 1917, thus including World
War I veterans of all services.11
From 1962 until 1998, eligibility for the Purple Hearts was changed on several occasions.
President Kennedy authorized Purple Hearts to all servicemembers and civilians serving with the
Armed Forces, who were engaged in armed conflict against an opposing military or hostile
foreign force.12 This expansion was written to permit U.S. servicemembers, and the civilians that
accompanied them, who were killed or wounded in Vietnam to receive the Purple Heart, as many
of those servicemembers were officially considered advisors to the Republic of Vietnam, rather
than combatants.13
Purple Heart eligibility was expanded again by President Reagan to include military personnel
and government civilians killed or wounded in international terrorist attacks after March 28,
1973, or those serving in peacekeeping operations outside of the United States.14 This expansion
was in response to increased terrorist attacks against U.S. servicemembers abroad, namely the
Marine Corps Barracks bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1983.15
The NDAA for Fiscal Year 1996 expanded eligibility to prisoners of war injured or wounded in
captivity prior to 1962, a group of servicemembers previously not covered for Purple Heart
eligibility by President Kennedy’s executive order.16 In 1997, President Clinton signed the NDAA
for Fiscal Year 1998, which limited future awards of the Purple Heart to military personnel.17 It
has since remained a military-only award.
The Department of Defense does not maintain a record of the total number of Purple Heart
recipients. However, some military historians estimated that 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been
awarded mostly to soldiers since 1932.18 Likewise, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
estimates 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded since the medal was established by the
Army in 1932.19
11 Executive Order 10409, "Award of the Purple Heart to Persons Serving with the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast
Guard of the United States," 17 Federal Register 10397, November 14, 1952,
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1952-11-14/pdf/FR-1952-11-14.pdf.
12 Executive Order 11016, "Authorizing Award of the Purple Heart," 27 Federal Register 4139, May 1, 1962,
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1962-05-01/pdf/FR-1962-05-01.pdf#page=3.
13 Borch, “The Story of American’s Oldest Military Decoration and Some of its Recipients,” p. 21,
https://www.archives.gov/files/publications/prologue/2012/winter/purple-heart.pdf.
14 Executive Order 12464, "Award of the Purple Heart," 49 Federal Register 7099, February 27, 1984,
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1984-02-27/pdf/FR-1984-02-27.pdf#page=11.
15 Madeline Sapienza, Peacetime Awards of the Purple Heart in the Post-Vietnam Period (Washington, D.C.: U.S.
Army Center for Military History, 1987), https://tile.loc.gov/storageservices/public/gdcmassbookdig/peacetimeawardso00sapi/peacetimeawardso00sapi.pdf.
16 110 Stat. 186, P.L. 104-106, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 1996, February 10, 1996.
17 111 Stat. 1756, P.L. 105-85 , National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 1998, November 18,
1997.
18 Borch, For Military Merit Recipients of the Purple Heart, p. 15. Author notes that the Purple Heart was an Armyonly award from 1932-1942, and therefore more soldiers received the Purple Heart more than all sailors, airmen,
Marines, and Coast Guardsmen combined.
19 “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), How many Purple Hearts have been awarded?,” The National Purple Heart
Hall of Honor, https://www.thepurpleheart.com/questions/.
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Current Eligibility
Currently, the Purple Heart is authorized for any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who has been
wounded or died from wounds sustained under one of the following conditions:20
(1) In accordance with E.O. 11016, as amended by E.O.s 11382, 12464 and 13758, subject
to the provisions of Sections 1129, 1129a, and 1131 of Title 10, U.S.C., and P.L. 104-106,
the Secretary of a Military Department will, in the name of the President of the United
States, award the PH, with suitable ribbons and appurtenances, to any Service member or
former Service member under the jurisdiction of that Department who, after April 5, 1917,
has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received under
any of these circumstances:
(a) In any action against an enemy of the United States.
(b) In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Military
Services are or have been engaged.
(c) While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an
opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
(d) As a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces.
(e) As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force.
(f) While being taken captive or while being held as a prisoner of war (POW). For purposes
of this Paragraph, a person is considered a POW if the person is eligible for the POW Medal
pursuant to Section 1128 of Title 10, U.S.C.
(g) After March 28, 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 for
purposes of award of the PH by the Secretary of the Military Department concerned, or
jointly by the Secretaries of the Military Departments concerned if members from more
than one Military Department are killed or wounded in the attack. The Secretary of the
Military Department concerned will notify the ASD(M&RA) before awarding the PH for
an international terrorist attack that occurs in the United States or its territories.
(h) After March 28, 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the
territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.
(i) After December 6, 1941, by friendly weapon fire while directly engaged in armed
conflict, other than as the result of an act of an enemy of the United States, an opposing
armed force, or hostile foreign force.
(j) After September 10, 2001, in an attack that was motivated or inspired by a foreign
terrorist organization, which the Secretary of the Military Department concerned will treat
in the same manner as an international terrorist attack, provided the attack specifically
targeted the member due to their military service, as provided in Section 1129a of Title 10,
U.S.C.
1. An attack by an individual or entity shall be considered to be a foreign terrorist
attack if the individual or entity was in communication with the foreign terrorist
organization before the attack and the attack was inspired or motivated by the
foreign terrorist organization.
20 Department of Defense, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD-wide Performance and Valor
Decorations, Manual 1348.33, Volume 3, Change 5 effective July 9, 2024, see 3.7. Purple Heart (PH), 22-25,
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/134833_vol3.PDF.
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2. To assist in making a PH determination pursuant to Section 1129a of Title 10,
U.S.C., the Secretary of the Military Department concerned may request an
intelligence assessment from the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Defense
Combating Terrorism Center. The Defense Combating Terrorism Center
assessment of potential foreign terrorist attacks by an individual or entity will
assess whether the individual or entity was in communication with the foreign
terrorist organization before the attack, and if the attack was inspired or motivated
by the foreign terrorist organization. The assessment will include supporting
citations and rationale.
(2) A wound for which the award is made must have been of such severity that it required
treatment, not just examination, by a military medical officer.
(a) Treatment of the wound will be documented in the Service member’s medical or health
record. Treatment must be noted in the Servicemember’s medical record.
(b) Award may be made of wounds treated by a medical professional other than a medical
officer provided a medical officer issues a statement in the Service member’s medical
record that the extent of the wounds was such that the wounds would have required
treatment from a medical officer if one had one been available to treat the wounds.21
(3) The PH is not authorized for a wound or death that results from the willful misconduct
of the member.
(4) After May 17, 1998, pursuant to Section 1131 of Title 10, U.S.C., the PH may only be
awarded to a person who is a Service member at the time the person is killed or wounded
under circumstances otherwise qualifying that person for award of the PH. Before this date,
the Secretary of the Military Department concerned was authorized to award the PH to U.S.
civilian nationals who were serving under competent authority in any capacity with an
armed force of that department. 22
(5) In accordance with Section 1136 of Title 10, U.S.C., the award is not authorized if the
awardee’s service after the qualifying incident was not honorable. Refer to Section 8 of
DoDI 1348.33 for additional guidance.
For deceased servicemembers, the Purple Heart may be given to the representatives of the
deceased as the individual Service Secretary considers appropriate.
Servicemembers can be awarded multiple Purple Hearts for separate incidents. The
servicemember receives the Purple Heart medal for the first award. Subsequent awards are
indicated with oak leaf clusters or 5/16-inch service stars, depending on the rules of the
recipient’s service.23 Purple Hearts may not be awarded to foreign military personnel.24
Benefits for Purple Heart Recipients
Recipients of the Purple Heart are entitled to the following benefits:
21 Jim Garamone, “DOD Issues Purple Heart Standards for Brain Injury,” Army.mil, April 28, 2011,
https://www.army.mil/article/60078/dod_issues_purple_heart_standards_for_brain_injury; Department of Defense,
Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD-wide Performance and Valor Decorations, Manual 1348.33, vol. 3,
July 9, 2024, see 3.7. Purple Heart (PH), 22-25.
22 Ibid.
23 See an example at “Medal #6 Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Clusters,” Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website, 1996,
https://www.audiemurphy.com/decorations006.htm. Note: Murphy was the most decorated U.S. soldier during WWII.
24 Department of Defense, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD-wide Performance and Valor
Decorations, DODM 1348.33, vol. 3, pg. 23. Note: The Purple Heart may not be awarded to foreign personnel.
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Qualify for enrollment in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and
are exempt from copayments for inpatient and outpatient VA medical services.25
Automatically granted full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits regardless of the amount of
time they spent on active duty.26
Eligibility of Purple Heart veterans for burial and inurnment at Arlington
National Cemetery.27
Recipients with an honorable discharge are granted a 10-point preference for
federal hiring.
Effective April 1, 2019, recipients receive priority #1 consideration when it
comes to claims before the VA.
Effective January 1, 2020, Purple Heart veterans and their caretakers have access
to Military Welfare and Recreation (MWR) retail and lodging facilities.
Effective January 1, 2020, active-duty members awarded the Purple Heart are
exempt from the VA Home Loan funding fee.28 Note: The funding fee applies
only to the loan amount, not the purchase price of the home.
In addition, some states offer other benefits such as special license plates, college grants, and
designated parking.29
Issues for Congress
Although the decision to award medals and other military decorations traditionally rests with the
executive branch, Congress has been expanding its role in this area in recent decades, exercising
its constitutional power “To Make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and
naval forces.”30 Previously, Congress took the lead and adjusted Purple Heart eligibility in both
the NDAA for FY1996 and the NDAA for FY1998. See Appendix A. In response to some mass
shootings in recent years, Congress passed a provision in the NDAA for FY2015 that expanded
the Purple Heart’s eligibility requirements.
25 P.L. 106-117, Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), Title 38, Part 17, Section 108, GovInfo,
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2023-title38-vol1/pdf/CFR-2023-title38-vol1-sec17-108.pdf.
26 Typically to get the full Post-9/11 GI Bill, a veteran needs to have served at least 36 months of active duty. For more
information, see CRS Report R45205, Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-48),
by Cassandria Dortch. See also Department of Veterans Affairs, Yellow Ribbon Program,”
https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/yellow-ribbon-program/.
27 C.F.R Title 32, Part 553, Sections 12 and 13, GovInfo, https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2023-title32vol3/CFR-2023-title32-vol3-sec553-12; and CRS In Focus IF11362, Defense Primer: Arlington National Cemetery, by
Barbara Salazar Torreon.
28 P.L. 116-23, Sec. 6 (c) Waiver of Fees for Purple Heart Recipients, and VA Housing Assistance, “VA funding fee
and loan closing costs,” https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/funding-fee-and-closing-costs/.
29 See list of benefits by state at Veteran State Benefits, https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits; and
“Purple Heart Day and VA benefits to recipients,” VA News, August 7, 2022, https://news.va.gov/106548/purpleheart-day-and-va-benefits-to-recipients/.
30 U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, clause 14.
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Domestic Terrorism and the FY2015 NDAA (P.L. 113-291)
Little Rock, Arkansas, and Fort Hood, Texas,31 2009
On June 1, 2009, a man who was allegedly angry over the killing of Muslims in Iraq and
Afghanistan opened fire on two U.S. Army soldiers near a recruiting station in Little Rock, AR,
killing one and wounding the other.32 On November 5, 2009, an Army major opened fire at Ft.
Hood, TX, killing 13 and wounding 29, many of them servicemembers. Both men were charged
with murder and other crimes.33
Federal and local law enforcement authorities initially considered these acts to be crimes, and not
acts perpetrated by an enemy or hostile force, which made them ineligible for the Purple Heart.34
However, some believed these acts should be viewed as acts of war or domestic terrorism because
they involved Muslim perpetrators angered over U.S. actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.35
Section 571 of the NDAA for FY2015 (P.L. 113-291) expanded the eligibility for the Purple Heart
by redefining what should be considered an attack by a “foreign terrorist organization” for
purposes of determining eligibility for the Purple Heart. The law states that an event should be
considered an attack by a foreign terrorist organization if the perpetrator of the attack “was in
communication with the foreign terrorist organization before the attack” and “the attack was
inspired or motivated by the foreign terrorist organization.”
Still, some are opposed to awarding the Purple Heart for terrorist acts that were initially deemed
“workplace violence” by the Department of Defense (DOD) or a criminal act, and not earned on a
battlefield.36 This act arguably sets a precedent for the future and could make Purple Heart
eligibility more subjective, allowing public sentiment to determine what events are worthy of a
Purple Heart.
On April 10, 2015, then-Army Secretary John McHugh and Army Lieutenant General Sean
MacFarland, then-3rd Corps and Fort Hood commanding general, presented Purple Hearts to the
families of the 10 servicemembers killed and to the 26 servicemembers wounded during the
attack.37 Defense of Freedom Medals were also awarded to DOD civilians killed and wounded
31 Fort Hood was renamed Fort Cavazos on May 9, 2023, in compliance with the William M. (Mac) Thornberry
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 (P.L. 116-283) that required the removal or
modification of any DOD assets commemorating the Confederate States of America or anyone who voluntarily served
under the Confederacy. See “Fort Cavazos Redesignation,” U.S. Army at https://home.army.mil/cavazos/about/fortcavazos-redesignation.
32 Steve Barnes and James Dao, “Gunman Kills Soldier outside Recruiting Station,” The New York Times (New York,
NY) June 2, 2009, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/us/02recruit.html?_r=1.
33 Ibid.
34 Department of Defense, “Army Secretary Releases Results of Fort Hood Review,” Army Service News, December 8,
2020, https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/2440007/army-secretary-releases-results-of-forthood-review/; Report of the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee, November 6, 2020, at
https://www.army.mil/e2/downloads/rv7/forthoodreview/2020-12-03_FHIRC_report_redacted.pdf.
35 Sig Christenson, “Some Labeling Hasan Terrorist,” San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio, TX) August 13, 2012,
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Some-labeling-Hasan-terrorist-3783225.php.
36 Secretary of Defense Memorandum, “Final Recommendations of the Ft. Hood Follow-on Review,” August 18, 2010,
at https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA528115.pdf; and Protecting the Force: Lessons From Fort Hood, DOD
Independent Review Related to Fort Hood, January 2010, at https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a513143.pdf.
37 Heather Graham-Ashley, “Fort Hood Shooting Victims, Families Receive Medals,” DOD News, April 11, 2015, at
https://dod.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/604443/fort-hood-shooting-victims-families-receive-medals/.
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during the attack. In a memorandum, Secretary McHugh directed the Army to “expedite certain
other benefits for which soldiers receiving the Purple Heart are traditionally eligible.”38
In addition to the victims of the Fort Hood shooting, the two victims of the June 2009, shooting at
a recruiting station in Little Rock, Arkansas, received Purple Hearts on July 1, 2015. Army
Private William Andrew “Andy” Long was killed and Army Private Quinton Ezeagwula was
wounded in that attack by Abdulhakim Muhammad, who was convicted and sentenced to life in
prison without the possibility of parole.39
NDAA for FY2016 (H.R. 1735)
Encouraged by the expanded eligibility provision in the NDAA for FY2015, legislation was
introduced during the 114th Congress to award Purple Hearts to other military victims of domestic
terrorism.40 Section 583 of the House-passed version of H.R. 1735, the NDAA for FY2016,
would have awarded the Purple Heart to servicemembers who were victims of the April 19, 1995,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma bombing. Supporters for awarding the Purple Heart to the victims of
the Oklahoma City bombing refer to the FY2015 NDAA as precedent. However, critics contend
that the bombing was an act of domestic terrorism and does not meet the current eligibility
requirements of the assailant being inspired by or motivated by an international terrorist
organization. The final version of the FY2016 NDAA (P.L. 114-92) did not include this provision.
Chattanooga Shooting on July 16, 2015
On July 16, 2015, Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot at a Marine Corps recruiting center and
Naval Reserve Center in Chattanooga, TN. This incident again raised congressional interest
regarding the eligibility for the Purple Heart for servicemembers killed and wounded during an
attack inspired by or motivated by international terrorist organizations. Four marines were killed
and one was injured during the rampage, and the lone sailor later died from his injuries.41 The FBI
investigation later concluded that Abdulazeez was “motivated by foreign terrorist organization
propaganda,” but that it was difficult to determine which terrorist group may have inspired him.42
On December 16, 2015, then-Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that the Purple Heart
would be awarded to five servicemembers killed and one wounded in the July 2015 shootings at
two naval centers in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Secretary Mabus stated that “following an
extensive investigation, the FBI and NCIS have determined that this attack was inspired by a
38 United States Army, “McHugh orders benefits be provided to Purple Heart recipients,” United States Army, April
17, 2015, https://www.army.mil/article/146546/mchugh_orders_benefits_be_provided_to_purple_heart_recipients; and
Michelle Tan, “Army Extends Benefits to Hood Shooting Victims,” Army Times, April 16, 2015, at
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2015/04/16/army-extends-benefits-to-hood-shooting-victims/.
39 Claudia Lauer, “Army Recruiters Shot in Little Rock to Receive Purple Heart,” Military Times, April 16, 2015,
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2015/04/17/army-recruiters-shot-in-little-rock-to-receive-purpleheart/.
40 For more information, see CRS Report R44120, FY2016 National Defense Authorization Act: Selected Military
Personnel Issues, by Kristy N. Kamarck, Lawrence Kapp, and Barbara Salazar Torreon. See section “Award of the
Purple Heart to members of the Armed Forces who were victims of the Oklahoma City, OK, bombing.”
41 Killed were the following Marines: Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan, Lance Cpl. Squire K.
Wells, and Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt; and Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith. Marine Sgt. DeMonte Cheeley
was injured but survived the attack; see Gina Harris, “Chattanooga shooting investigation: Marine shielded his daughter
from terrorist’s rampage,” Marine Times, September 25, 2015, https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marinecorps/2015/09/26/chattanooga-shooting-investigation-marine-shielded-his-daughter-from-terrorist-s-rampage/.
42 Kristina Sgueglia, “Chattanooga shootings ‘inspired’ by terrorists, FBI chief says,” CNN, December 16, 2015,
http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/16/us/chattanooga-shooting-terrorist-inspiration/.
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foreign terrorist group, the final criteria required for the awarding of the Purple Heart to this
Sailor and these Marines.”43
On January 14, 2016, then-Navy Vice Admiral Robin Braun presented the Purple Heart to the
family of Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Randall Smith at the Navy Operational Support Center
Chattanooga.44 Brigadier General Terry V. Williams presented the Purple Heart on January 26,
2016, to Sergeant DeMonte R. Cheeley, who survived the attack, at a ceremony in Chattanooga.45
On April 20, 2016, Lieutenant General Rex McMillian, then-head of Marine Corps Forces
Reserve, presented Purple Hearts to the families of Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan, Staff
Sergeant David Wyatt, Sergeant Carson Holmquist, and Lance Corporal Squire “Skip” Wells in a
ceremony at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga.46
Attack on Paris-Bound Train, August 21, 2015
U.S. Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone was onboard a train from Amsterdam to Paris with two
friends, Anthony Sadler and Alek Skarlatos, when they subdued a heavily armed gunman who
attempted to fire an AK-47 at the passengers. Stone was stabbed in the face and neck by the
gunman as the trio restrained him before he could discharge his weapon. The vacationing
Americans were hailed as heroes and awarded the French Legion of Honor on August 24, 2015.
On September 14, 2015, then-Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James announced that Stone
would receive the Purple Heart along with the Airman’s Medal, the Air Force’s highest
noncombat award.47 At the Pentagon on September 17, 2015, then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter
presented Stone the Purple Heart and Airman’s Medal. During the ceremony, Carter presented the
Soldier’s Medal to Oregon National Guard Specialist Alek Skarlatos, and civilian Anthony Sadler
received the Secretary of Defense Medal for Valor.48
Orlando Shooting on June 12, 2016
On June 12, 2016, a security guard, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people and wounded 53 others in an
attack inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Army Reserve Captain Antonio Davon
Brown49 was one of the 49 people killed and may be eligible for the Purple Heart depending on
the outcome of the FBI investigation. According to the FBI, Mateen had pledged allegiance to the
43 David B. Larter, “Chattanooga Shooting Victims Will Receive Purple Heart,” Navy Times, December 16, 2015,
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2015/12/16/chattanooga-shooting-victims-will-receive-purple-heart/.
44 Magan Strickland, “Purple Heart Ceremony Honors Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Randall Smith,” CHIPS, January
19, 2016, https://www.doncio.navy.mil/CHIPS/ArticleDetails.aspx?ID=7344.
45 Jeff Schogol, “Marine wounded in Chattanooga attack receives Purple Heart,” Marine Times, January 26, 2016,
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2016/01/26/marine-wounded-in-chattanooga-attackreceives-purple-heart/.
46 Matthew L. Schehl, “Families of Marines killed in Chattanooga attack receive Purple Hearts,” Marine Times, April
20, 2016, https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2016/04/20/families-marines-killed-chattanooga-attackreceive-purple-hearts/83286802/.
47 Stephen Losey, “Airman Spencer Stone, hero in foiled French terror plot, to receive Purple Heart,” Air Force Times,
September 14, 2015, https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2015/09/14/airman-spencer-stone-hero-infoiled-french-terror-plot-to-receive-purple-heart/.
48 David Vergun, “Carter Honors 3 who Stopped Gunman on Paris-Bound Train,” U.S. Department of Defense,
September 17, 2015, https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/617702/carter-honors-3-who-stopped-gunman-onparis-bound-train/.
49 Department of Defense, “Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on the Death of Army Reserve Captain
Antonio Brown,” Department of Defense, June 14, 2016, https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/NewsRelease-View/Article/799493/statement-by-secretary-of-defense-ash-carter-on-the-death-of-army-reserve-capta/.
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Islamic State group after his attack in a call to 911.50 As of the date of this report, it is unclear if
the Army will make a decision regarding Captain Brown’s eligibility for the Purple Heart.
Naval Air Station Pensacola on December 6, 2019
On December 6, 2019, Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, a military officer from Saudi Arabia, used
a handgun to open fire on a classroom at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola in Florida.51 He
killed three flight training students (Ensign Joshua Watson, Airman Mohammed Haitham and
Airman Cameron Walters) and injured eight more. Alshamrani died in a shootout with sheriff’s
officers. Based on the Department of Justice and FBI’s investigation, the attack was determined
an act of terrorism after the shooter was found to have been inspired by jihadi ideology.52
Officials with Naval Education and Training Command announced that the three servicemembers
killed and those injured will receive Purple Hearts. On December 4, 2020, the Naval Aviation
Schools Command held a memorial service and presented Purple Hearts to the families of Ensign
Joshua Watson, Petty Officer 3rd Class Mohammed Haitham and Petty Officer 3rd Class
Cameron Walters.53
FY2019 NDAA and Purple Heart Recipients
The House version of the NDAA for FY2019, H.R. 5515, included a provision (Section 629) that
would extend certain morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) privileges to certain veterans,
including Purple Hearts recipients, and their caregivers. This bill became P.L. 115-232 on August
13, 2018. Section 621 of the enacted bill extended eligibility of certain MWR and commissary
privileges to certain veterans, including Purple Heart recipients, and their caregivers starting
January 1, 2020. For additional information see section, “Defense Commissary System,” in CRS
Report R45343, FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act: Selected Military Personnel Issues,
and CRS In Focus IF11089, Defense Primer: Military Commissaries and Exchanges, by Kristy
N. Kamarck and Barbara Salazar Torreon.
FY2023 NDAA and Purple Heart Recipients
Section 584 of the “James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023’’
(P.L. 117-263) requires enhanced information related to awarding of the Purple Heart to be posted
on a publicly available internet site. This information includes a link to the description of the
background of the Purple Heart, award eligibility criteria, and contact information for each
50 FBI Tampa, “Investigative Update Regarding Pulse Nightclub Shooting,” FBI.gov, June 20, 2016,
https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/tampa/news/press-releases/investigative-update-regarding-pulse-nightclubshooting; and Tara Copp, “DOD: Soldier slain in Orlando attack might qualify for Purple Heart,” Stars and Stripes,
June 16, 2016, https://www.stripes.com/migration/dod-soldier-slain-in-orlando-attack-might-qualify-for-purple-heart1.415017.
51 Courtney Mabeus-Brown, “Saudi gunman and at least 3 victims reported dead at NAS Pensacola,” Navy Times,
(2019), https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2019/12/06/active-shooter-at-nas-pensacola-reported-dead/.
52 Gina Harkins, “Troops Wounded in Pensacola Shooting to Be Awarded Heroism Medals, Purple Hearts,”
Military.com, March 9, 2020, https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/03/09/sailors-wounded-pensacola-shootingbe-awarded-heroism-medals-purple-hearts.html; and Department of Defense, “Naval Air Station Pensacola
Investigation Update,” Department of Defense, May 18, 2020, https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/
Article/2190048/naval-air-station-pensacola-investigation-update/.
53 Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs, “Memorial Service, Award Ceremonies Honor Victims of
Pensacola Terrorist Attack,” United States Navy, December 4, 2020, https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/NewsStories/Article/2436214/memorial-service-award-ceremonies-honor-victims-of-pensacola-terrorist-attack/.
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service’s awards and decorations branch “to facilitate confirmation, by a veteran or a veteran’s
next of kin, whether a veteran was awarded the Purple Heart after December 31, 2002.”54
118th Congress Legislation
For bill summaries of Purple Heart legislation during the 118th legislative session, see Table 1.
Table 1. Purple Heart Legislation in the 118th Congress (2023-2024)
Bill Number and
Date Introduced
Title and Bill Summary
Latest Action
H.R. 214 on
01/09/2023
Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2023
This bill allows covered veterans to receive coverage
under TRICARE Select, a health care program of the
Department of Defense (DOD). Veterans covered by
this bill include those with service-connected
disabilities, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart
recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, those
discharged from service due to disability, and those
entitled to disability compensation. The Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) must reimburse DOD's costs
of enrolling eligible veteran beneficiaries in the
program. A covered veteran may not concurrently
receive medical care from DOD and the VA.
01/09/2023 Referred to the
House Committee on Armed
Services, and in addition to the
House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions
as fall within the jurisdiction of
the committee concerned.
H.R. 1841 on
03/28/2023
Purple Heart Freedom to Work Act
This bill increases the monthly income limit that is
used to determine whether certain Purple Heart
recipients are eligible for Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Specifically, when making
such determinations with respect to Purple Heart
recipients who are entitled to SSDI benefits based on
combat-related injuries, the Social Security
Administration must use the limit that applies to
individuals who are blind rather than the lower limit
that applies to other SSDI recipients. In addition, the
bill phases out SSDI benefits for these Purple Heart
recipients, with benefits reduced by $1 for every $4 of
earnings in excess of the limit.
03/28/2023 Referred to the
House Committee on Ways and
Means.
H.R. 2413 on
03/30/2023
Dental Care for Veterans Act
This bill expands eligibility for veterans for dental care
provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Specifically, the bill makes all veterans who are
enrolled in the VA health care system eligible for VAprovided dental services. Currently, only veterans
who have a service-connected dental issue or meet
other narrow criteria are eligible for certain dental
services. The bill phases in eligibility over four years
based upon existing eligibility, degree of serviceconnected disability or other disability, prisoner of
war status, award of a Purple Heart, financial need, or
VA health care eligibility.
04/14/2023 Referred to the
House Committee on Veterans’
Affairs, Subcommittee on
Health
54136 Stat. 2611, P.L. 117-263, James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, December
23, 2022.
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Bill Number and
Date Introduced
Title and Bill Summary
Latest Action
S. 1644 on
05/17/2023
Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2023
This bill allows covered veterans to receive coverage
under TRICARE Select, a health care program of the
Department of Defense (DOD). Veterans covered by
this bill include those with service-connected
disabilities, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart
recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, those
discharged from service due to disability, and those
entitled to disability compensation. The Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) must reimburse DOD's costs
of enrolling eligible veteran beneficiaries in the
program. A covered veteran may not concurrently
receive hospital care or medical services from DOD
and the VA.
05/17/2023 Read twice and
referred to the Senate
Committee on Armed Services.
H.R. 4140 on
06/14/2023
To authorize the President to award the Purple Heart
to Louis Boria, Jr., for injuries incurred during World
War II and the Korean War while a member of the
Marine Corps.
06/14/2023 Referred to the
House Committee on Armed
Services.
H.R. 5765 on
09/27/2023
Passports for Purple Hearts Act
This bill amends the Passport Act of 1920 to exempt
from the collection of certain passport fees an
individual who was awarded the Purple Heart.
09/27/2023 Referred to the
House Committee on Foreign
Affairs.
H.R. 8070 on
04/18/2024
Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2025
Section 529A. Authorization of members awarded
certain decorations to wear the uniform when not on
active duty.
07/08/2024 Received in the
Senate.
S. 4396 on
05/23/2024
Purple Heart Veterans Education Act of 2024
This bill amends title 38, United States Code, to
authorize an individual who is awarded the Purple
Heart for service in the Armed Forces to transfer
unused Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to a family
member.
05/23/2024 Read twice and
referred to the Senate
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
H.R. 8896 on
06/28/2024
To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize
an individual who is awarded the Purple Heart for
service in the Armed Forces to transfer unused Post9/11 Educational Assistance to a family member, and
for other purposes.
08/22/2024 Referred to the
House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs, Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity.
Source: Congress.gov as of October 2, 2024.
Traumatic Brain Injuries, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the
Purple Heart
The large number of veterans with invisible wounds55 returning from Iraq and Afghanistan has
the Department of Defense reevaluating Purple Heart eligibility for traumatic brain injuries and
55 “Invisible wounds” is a term used to describe psychological and cognitive injuries. See Terri Tanielian and Lisa H.
Jaycox, editors, “Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to
(continued...)
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mental conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.56 DOD considers some TBIs eligible for
the Purple Heart, as many of those injuries can be diagnosed using brain scans and other objective
medical tests.57 However, there is continued debate on the inclusion of mental conditions, such as
PTSD, as part of the appropriate criteria for the Purple Heart. Congress, as well as various
executive agencies and departments, is funding and conducting studies regarding PTSD.58 The
National Alliance on Mental Illness, a national grassroots advocacy group representing families
and people affected by mental illness, is advocating that the Purple Heart be awarded for
psychological wounds including PTSD to eliminate stigma and encourage servicemembers to
seek care.59
At this time, DOD does not consider servicemembers with PTSD eligible for the Purple Heart.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 allows “concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated
explosions” but specifically disqualifies post-traumatic stress disorders.60 Army guidance
emphasizes “the degree to which the enemy or hostile force caused the wound” when determining
eligibility and places PTSD in a column of noneligible injuries.61 The Marine Corps defines
PTSD as a “severe combat stress injury” and says that combat stress injuries are “not directly
caused by the enemy’s intentional use of an outside force or agent,” and thus do not qualify.62
Servicemembers are divided on this issue. Some servicemembers believe that mental injuries
such as PTSD should be eligible for the Purple Heart, while others believe that it would dishonor
those who have received Purple Hearts for physical injuries.63 Proponents argue that some
veterans are less likely to seek help for their mental-health injuries because of the stigma
Assist Recovery,” Rand Corporation Center for Military Health Policy Research, 2008, http://www.rand.org/content/
dam/rand/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG720.sum.pdf.
56 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) classifies PTSD as an anxiety disorder that often occurs after experiencing a
traumatic event, such as disaster, assault, abuse, prison, or war. The cause of PTSD is unknown, although
psychological, genetic, social, and physical factors are involved. There are also no tests to diagnose PTSD; doctors
make the diagnosis based on a medical professional’s judgment of the symptoms. It is unclear why a traumatic event
causes PTSD in some people and not in others. NIH Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder site at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/
health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml. See also “Purple Heart,” United States Army
Human Resources Command, November 8, 2023, https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Purple%20Heart.
57 Jim Garamone, “DOD Issues Purple Heart Standards for Brain Injury,” American Forces Press Service, April 28,
2011, https://www.army.mil/article/60078, and ARNEWS, “Army Clarifies Award of Purple Heart for Concussion,”
United States Army, June 20, 2011, http://www.army.mil/article/55850/; and Chad Garand, “14 Years After He Was
Wounded in a Blast, Iraq Veteran Gets a Purple Heart for His TBI,” Stars and Stripes, February 4, 2020,
https://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/14-years-after-he-was-wounded-in-a-blast-iraq-veteran-gets-a-purple-heart-forhis-tbi-1.617546.
58 For more information, see CRS Report R40941, Health Care for Veterans: Traumatic Brain Injury, by Erin
Bagalman.
59 National Alliance on Mental Illness, Parity for Patriots: The Mental Health Needs of Military Personnel, Veterans,
and their Families, Arlington, VA, June 2012, p. 7, https://www.nami.org/wp-content/uploads/ParityforPatriots.pdf.
60 United States Army, Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, (Effective February 19, 2024), p. 25,
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30935-AR_600-8-22-000-WEB-1.pdf.
61 Ibid, p.147. See also CRS Insight IN11221, Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) in the Military, by
Bryce H. P. Mendez.
62 Manpower Management Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps, Purple Heart MedalRevised Criteria for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Updated Coordinating Instructions, MARADMIN 245/11, April
15, 2011, http://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/888214/purple-heart-medal-revisedcriteria-for-mild-traumatic-brain-injury-and-updated/.
63 Jacqueline Klimas, “Fort Hood’s Mentally Wounded Veterans Don’t Qualify for Purple Hearts 2009 Shooting,” The
Washington Times April 9, 2015, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/9/ft-hoods-mentally-woundedveterans-dont-qualify-fo/.
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associated with PTSD, and that stigma could be lessened by recognizing their injuries as real.64
Opponents, including some veterans from the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Veterans of
Foreign Wars, are resistant to accepting PTSD as grounds for eligibility. A representative of The
Military Order of the Purple Heart stated, “We believe strongly in and support the criteria that the
wound or death should be sustained in combat at the hands of the enemies of the United States.”65
In addition, the national spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Joseph E. Davis said,
“Medals aren’t awarded for illness or disease, but for ‘achievement and valor.’”66
Figure 1. The Purple Heart Medal
Obverse (Front)
Reverse (Back)
Source: The Institute of Heraldry, Personal Decorations: Purple Heart.
64 Nathan Fletcher, “Veterans with Mental-Health Injuries Deserve Purple Hearts, too,” Washington Post May 29,
2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/veterans-with-mental-health-injuries-deserve-purple-hearts-too/2017/
05/29/b1210a3e-4250-11e7-9869-bac8b446820a_story.html?utm_term=.b922f44d91db.
65 Ibid.
66 Barrie Barber, “Purple Hearts for PTSD Debated,” Dayton Daily News, June 17, 2012,
https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/purple-hearts-for-ptsd-debated/zX8vFWoqny4EJidLnsonJN/.
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Appendix A. Timeline of Purple Heart Eligibility
August 7, 1782: George Washington creates the Badge of Military Merit. Awarded to several
Continental soldiers, but it quickly falls from use.
February 22, 1932: Army Chief of Staff General Douglas MacArthur revives the Badge of
Military Merit as an Army award, renamed “the Purple Heart,” and retroactively awarded to
wounded WWI veterans.
December 3, 1942: Executive Order 9277—President Franklin Roosevelt expands Purple Heart
eligibility to include U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Retroactively awards Purple
Hearts to December 6, 1941.
November 12, 1952: Executive Order 10409—President Truman retroactively awards Purple
Hearts to U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard veterans after April 5, 1917.
April 25, 1962: Executive Order 11016—President Kennedy extends eligibility to civilians
serving with military forces.
February 23, 1984: Executive Order 12464—President Reagan awards Purple Hearts to those
killed and wounded in terrorist attacks after March 28, 1973, or on peacekeeping missions outside
the United States.
February 10, 1996: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 (Section 521, P.L.
104-106) includes “prisoners of war wounded before April 25, 1962, while held as a prisoner of
war (or while being taken captive) in the same manner as a former prisoner of war who is
wounded on or after that date while held as a prisoner of war (or while being taken captive).”
November 18, 1997: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (Section 571, P.L.
105-85) limits future Purple Heart awards to members of the Armed Forces.
October 17, 2006: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Section 556, P.L.
109-364) includes prisoners of war captured after December 7, 1941.
April 30, 2008: Purple Heart Family Equity Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-207) revises the congressional
charter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart to authorize associate membership for the spouse
and siblings of a recipient of the Purple Heart medal.
December 19, 2014: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Section 571, P.L.
113-291) expands eligibility for the Purple Heart by redefining what should be considered an
attack by a foreign terrorist organization, and awards Purple Heart medals to servicemembers
wounded or killed during the 2009 shootings at Ft. Hood, Texas, and Little Rock, Arkansas.
January 17, 2017: Executive Order 13758—President Obama amends Executive Order 11016 to
update eligibility criteria for award of the Purple Heart to reflect statutory changes to Purple
Heart award criteria from 1993 through 2017.
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Appendix B. Staffer Instructions for
Medal Requests
Members of Congress are able to directly request that a Service Secretary consider awarding
military decorations to individuals or groups. Upon receiving a request from a Member’s office,
the Service Secretary concerned will review the proposal for the award or presentation of a
decoration (or the upgrading of a decoration).
Based on that review, the Secretary shall determine the merits of approving the award or
presentation of the decoration and other necessary determinations. The Secretary shall submit a
notice to the requesting Member, the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the House Armed
Services Committee with one of the following results:
(1) The award or presentation of the decoration does not warrant approval on the merits. A
statement explaining the Secretary’s reason will be included.
(2) The award or presentation of the decoration warrants approval and a waiver by law of
time restrictions prescribed by law is recommended.
(3) The award or presentation of the decoration warrants approval on the merits and has
been approved as an exception to policy.
(4) The award or presentation of the decoration warrants approval on the merits, but a
waiver of the time restrictions prescribed in law is not recommended. A statement
explaining the Secretary’s reason will be included.
Source: Compiled from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 (P.L. 104106, §526), February 10, 1996.
Author Information
Barbara Salazar Torreon
Senior Research Librarian
Carly A. Miller
Research Librarian
Acknowledgments
Abigail Coupe, FDT Research Assistant, contributed information for this report update.
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Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
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under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other
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Congressional Research Service
R42704 · VERSION 24 · UPDATED
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This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.