Celebrating Purple Heart Day

By Paula Green

The Purple Heart is the military’s oldest medal. It dates to Gen. George Washington, who created it on August 7, 1782, to recognize heroic acts by his troops. It was called the Badge of Military Merit at that time, but it was soon abandoned. The Purple Heart wasn’t revived until February 22, 1932, on Washington’s 200th birthday. National Purple Heart Day is celebrated annually on August 7. It is a time to acknowledge and remember the sacrifices made by the brave members of our military. A few famous people are Purple Heart recipients.

Among actors – James Arness earned the bronze star and Purple Heart for his service during World War II. Arness was severely injured in his right leg during the Battle of Anzio. Charles Bronson enlisted in the Air Force in 1943 and was assigned to the 39th Bombardment Group. Bronson flew 25 missions and sustained multiple wounds, which earned him a Purple Heart. James Garner served in the Army National Guard during the Korean War. Garner received a Purple Heart and other military decorations after sustaining injuries from a mortar round and friendly fire.

Screenwriter and playwright Rod Serling was renowned for his T.V. series The Twilight Zone. He spent three years in the U.S. Army in the 11th Airborne Division. Serling received a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and the Philippine Liberation Medal. He was awarded the decoration after he was wounded in combat in the Philippines. Filmmaker Oliver Stone enlisted in the United States Army in April 1967 and requested combat duty in Vietnam. He was awarded a Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and the National Defense Service Medal.

In the political realm – President John Kennedy was the only United States president to be awarded the Purple Heart. He joined the US Naval Reserve on September 24, 1941. Kennedy commanded the PT-109 in the Solomon Islands during World War II when a Japanese destroyer struck his boat on August 2, 1943. Kennedy responded heroically. He swam miles across the open ocean from one remote island to another to save his crew.

Former Secretary of State John Kerry was awarded three Purple Heart medals for his service in Vietnam. The late Arizona senator John McCain received two Purple Hearts for his Vietnam service. In October 1967, McCain was captured by the North Vietnamese and held as a Prisoner of War until 1973. Army Four-Star Gen. Colin Powell served in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart following his first combat tour.

A few sports stars were military heroes as well. In 1968, during his rookie season as a halfback with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rocky Bleier was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve in the Vietnam War. While on patrol with the 196th Infantry Brigade, his platoon was ambushed, and he suffered an injury in his left thigh and lost a portion of his right foot. As a result of his injury, Bleier was honored with a Purple Heart. Pat Tillman played in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals from 1998 until May 2002. He quit the league and joined the U.S. Army, as a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Tillman was deployed to Afghanistan, where he was killed in a friendly-fire incident. He was posthumously honored with the Purple Heart.

Northern Connection magazines salutes all Purple Heart recipients, and we thank you for your commitment and military service. n

Sources: www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/1650949/the-purple-heart-americas-oldest-medal/, www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/history-of-the-purple-heart, www.medalsofamerica.com/blog/22-famous-people-who-have-been-awarded-the-purpleheart/