What is Purple Heart in military?

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.
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Is the Purple Heart the highest honor in the military?

It is also worth mentioning that the Purple Heart is the highest award that is automatically given to any officer or enlisted person as soon as the criteria are met, meaning there is no proposal or review like other awards for valor or merit.
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Who qualifies for a Purple Heart?

The Purple Heart is a distinguished military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. armed forces.
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How do you get a Purple Heart in the Army?

Examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:
  1. Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action.
  2. Injury caused by enemy placed mine or trap.
  3. Injury caused by enemy released chemical, biological, or nuclear agent.
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Why is it called a Purple Heart?

The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration still presented to service members. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor estimates that 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been issued since it was re-established in 1932. It is believed that the award is purple because the color represents courage and bravery.
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The Story of The Purple Heart Medal



What is the highest honor in military?

The nation's highest military award for valor is the Medal of Honor, presented by the president in Congress' name. By law, only U.S. service members who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” can receive the medal.
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Is a Purple Heart a big deal?

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.
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Do you get paid for having a Purple Heart?

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.
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Does PTSD qualify for Purple Heart?

The regulation lists PTSD as an injury that clearly does not meet these requirements. The Purple Heart has never been awarded for mental or psychological problems.
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What is the hardest medal to earn in the military?

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that may be awarded by the United States government.
...
It is awarded for gallantry in action:
  • While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;
  • While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or.
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What are the top 10 military medals?

Top 10 Highest-Ranking U.S. Military Medals
  • Medal of Honor. ...
  • Crosses. ...
  • Distinguished Service Medals. ...
  • Silver Star. ...
  • Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) ...
  • Legion of Merit Medal (LOM) ...
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) ...
  • Non-Conflict Heroism Medals.
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How much is a Purple Heart worth?

The copper alloy is composed of copper and zinc, technically making it a form of brass, not gold. 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.
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What medal do you get for saving a life in the military?

The Medal of Honor is bestowed for extraordinary acts of valor, and is often bestowed posthumously. The Medal of Honor is never “won.” It is presented, awarded, bestowed or given after a service member's act of selfless courage, typically at the risk or loss of that individual's own life.
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What are the top 3 Army medals?

  • Medal of Honor.
  • Navy Cross.
  • Silver Star.
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What award is higher than a Purple Heart?

Medal of Honor

The most prestigious of all U.S. military decorations, the Medal of Honor (sometimes informally called the “Congressional Medal of Honor”) is the highest medal any U.S. service member can receive.
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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.
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What are the cons of Purple Heart?

Purple heart has few pests, but scales and mealybugs can be a problem. The juice from the leaves or stems may cause skin redness and irritation in some people and dogs, but this is not a common problem.
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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 " ...
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How do I prove I have a Purple Heart?

In order to be enrolled we require official documentation of receipt of the Purple Heart.
...
This can include a variety of materials including:
  1. The DD-214, DD-215 or other discharge forms listing awards.
  2. General or Permanent Orders.
  3. Purple Heart Award certificate.
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What are the perks of a Purple Heart medal?

Purple Heart recipients are automatically upgraded to priority group 3 regardless of the severity of their injuries or their income. This gives them higher priority access to medical care and relieves them from paying any copays for VA medical treatment or hospitalization.
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Can you deny a Purple Heart?

The soldiers' commanding general typically makes the final decision to award or deny a Purple Heart.
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Who has the most Purple Hearts?

Staff Sgt.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Albert Ireland is the U.S. service member awarded the most Purple Hearts not just in the Marine Corps, but in all U.S. military branches.
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How many Purple Hearts are left?

Remarkably, some 120,000 Purple Hearts are still in the hands of the Armed Services and are not only stocked at military supply depots, but also kept with major combat units and at field hospitals so they can be awarded without delay.
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Who is the only 6 star general?

Grant joins George Washington and John J. Pershing as the only generals to achieve the rank. This honor has been informally referred to as being a "six-star general." The highest official star rank in the U.S. Army is a five-star general, called the General of the Army.
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How much does a 5 star general make?

Including the most common pay allowances, the average total compensation for a Major General may range from $142,989.48 to $204,653.88 per year as of 2022.
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