a. Authorization. E.O. 9277 of 3 December 1942, E.O.
10409 of 12 November 1952, E.O. 11016 of 25 April 1962 as
amended by E.O. 12464 of 23 February 1984, 10 U.S.C. 51129, and
Public Laws 98-525, 104-106, and 105-851.
b. Purple Heart Medal Eligibility Requirements. Awarded to members of
the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under
competent authority in any capacity with an Armed Force of the
United States after 5 April 1917, have been killed or wounded.
(1) In action against an enemy of the United
States.
(2) In action with an opposing armed force of a
foreign country, in which the Armed Forces of the United States
are or have been engaged.
(3) While serving with friendly foreign forces
engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force, in
which the United States is not a belligerent party.
(4) As the result of an act of any such enemy or
opposing armed force.
(5) As the result of an act of any hostile foreign
force .
(6) As the result of friendly weapons fire while
actively engaging the enemy.
(7) As the indirect result of enemy action (e.g.,
injuries resulting from parachuting from a plane brought down by
enemy or hostile fire.)
(8) As the result of maltreatment inflicted by
their captors while a prisoner of war.
(9) After 28 March 1973, as a result of
international terrorist attack against the U.S. or a foreign
nation friendly to the U.S.
(10) After 28 March 2973, as a result of military
operations while serving outside the territory of the United
States, as part of a peacekeeping force.
c. An individual must have been wounded either as a
direct or indirect result of enemy action. A "wound" is defined
as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or
agent, sustained while in action as described in the eligibility
requirements. A physical lesion is not required, provided the
concussion or other form of injury received was a result of the
action in which engaged.
d. Except in the case of a prisoner of war, the wound
for which the award is made must have required treatment by a
medical officer at the time of injury. Only one award is
authorized for more than one wound or injury received at the
same instant, from the same missile, force, explosion, or agent.
Prisoners of war, if entitled, will be limited to a single
Purple Heart covering the entire period of their captivity.
Authorized Devices:
Air Force: Bronze Oak Leaf, Silver Oak Leaf
Army:Bronze Oak Leaf, Silver Oak Leaf
Coast Guard: Gold Star, Silver Star
Marine Corps: Gold Star, Silver Star
Navy: Gold Star, Silver Star |