Purple Hearts
The Military Order of the Purple Heart released findings of its research into the number of Purple Hearts awarded by U.S. Conflicts since 1932.
Noting the numbers listed below are an estimate of Purple Heart recipients during a specific military conflict identified in Killed in Action and Wounded in Action data researched.
Images of the original Purple Heart and as it is today.
The Revolutionary War: 3 Purple Hearts
The Purple Heart award was originally established by George Washington in 1782 and then designated as the Badge of Military Merit. It is thought that only three soldiers were ever awarded the Badge of Military Merit during the American Revolutionary War—Sergeant William Brown of the 5th Connecticut Regiment of the Connecticut Line, Sergeant Elijah Churchill of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, and Sergeant Daniel Bissell of the 2nd Connecticut Regiment of the Connecticut Line. All three personally received the badge from General Washington himself in 1783.
Civil War: The Purple Heart was not awarded to Veterans of the Civil War, where 140,414 were killed in action, and 281,881 were wounded in action while serving in the U.S. Army. (If awarded, 422,295 service members would be added to the total Purple Hearts). The individual States and Militias used wound medals to recognize those killed or wounded in the Civil War.
The only federally sponsored and issued medal of the Civil War period was the Congressional Medal of Honor established by order of Abraham Lincoln and signed into law July 12, 1862. The Army Medal of Honor was attached to its ribbon by an American Eagle perched atop crossed cannons and cannonballs.
World War I: 257,404 Purple Hearts for 53,402 KIA & 204,002 WIA
The Purple Heart was officially established in 1932. So how is it that some 257,404 military personnel who served during World War I - which ended in 1918-received an award established in 1932? The answer is that, after General Douglas MacArthur signed General Order No. 3 establishing the Purple Heart, the medals were awarded retroactively to U.S Army personnel who were wounded in combat action or who were presented a “Meritorious Service Citation Certificate” for actions during World War I. Prominent American Purple Heart recipients during World War I include General George S. 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. Each is credited with 10 medals for their actions in combat.
World War II: 962,403 Purple Hearts for 291,557 KIA & 670,846 WIA
During World War II, during the greatest generation of National service, 1.5 million Purple Heart medals were made in anticipation of the many casualties expected during the world’s second great war. However, it is thought that about 1 million were either presented, lost, or stolen during the war (1939-1945). While there is no official military record regarding how many were awarded, it is estimated that just under a million American service members received Purple Hearts for their service in World War II. The U.S. service members who were awarded the most Purple Hearts during World War II were U.S. Army Officer Robert T. Frederick, with eight, and Albert L. Ireland, who earned five during World War II.
Korean War: 125,820 Purple Hearts for 33,686 KIA & 92,134 WIA
An estimated 125,820 Purple Hearts were awarded to brave service members during the Korean War (1950-1953). Renowned recipients include the warhorse “Sergeant Reckless,” who earned two Purple Hearts, Medal of Honor Recipient Red Millett, and the most decorated Marine in American military history, Chesty Puller. Albert L. Ireland was awarded the most Purple Hearts-totaling four during the Korean War.
Vietnam War: 248,151 Purple Hearts for 47,424 KIA & 153,303 WIA
An estimated 248,151 Purple Hearts were awarded to brave service members who demonstrated the greatest level of gallantry in action in American history during the Vietnam War. Three brave Soldiers earned eight Purple Hearts each during their service in the Vietnam War—Medal of Honor Recipients Joe Ronnie Hooper and Robert L. Howard and Special Forces Soldier Billy Waugh.
Persian Gulf War: 998 Purple Hearts for 149 KIA & 849 WIA
Approximately 988 Purple Heart awards were awarded to brave service members during the Gulf War that lasted from August 2, 1990, to February 28, 1991, spanning 209 days. Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm were an overwhelming victory over Iraqi forces in the largest tank battle in world history.
Global War on Terrorism OEF/ORS Afghanistan: 22,176 Purple Hearts for 1,856 KIA and 20,320 WIA
There have been 1,856 U.S. military service members who have sacrificed their lives, and 20,320 were wounded in combat during the War in Afghanistan (October 7, 2001, to present)-first called Operation Enduring Freedom and now Operation Resolute Support. In addition, there were 1,720 U.S. civilian contractor fatalities. The most notable Purple Heart recipient is Salvatore Giunta, who was the first Soldier since the Vietnam War awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. As the war in Afghanistan continues to this day, the number of Purple Heart recipients will continue to rise until the conflict ends. The American service member with the most Purple Hearts during this conflict is Staff Sergeant Brandon Camacho, who earned five Purple Hearts during his service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Global War on Terrorism OIF/OIR Iraq: 36,058 Purple Hearts for 3,836 KIA and 32,222 WIA
Purple Hearts were awarded to 3,836 service members killed in action and 32,222 wounded while serving in combat in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom (March 20, 2003, to December 18, 2011), now called Operation Inherent Resolve (June 15, 2014, to present).
Global War on Terrorism total wounded in action = 53,542 as of Jan 25, 2021.
Joseph A. Tormala, USMC-USA (Ret)
National Americanism Officer
joetormalaret@gmail.com
MILITARY ORDER PURPLE HEART,
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