heroes - GoHireAVet.com | Veterans Jobs & Careers Resource

National-Purple-Heart-Day-for-the-brave-men-and-women-of-the-US-military

Purple Heart Medal of Honor Award Recipients

The Story of the Purple Heart Medal of Honor | Honoring America's Wounded Warriors

As Ambassador for GoHireAVet.com and military historian for AICommandos.com, I’m privileged to share this tribute honoring the extraordinary courage of U.S. servicemembers—men and women—who received the Purple Heart, our nation’s oldest and most heartfelt military decoration.

The Origins: From Badge of Military Merit to Purple Heart

On August 7, 1782, General George Washington established the Badge of Military Merit to recognize "unusual gallantry in battle" and steadfast service among enlisted soldiers—at the time, a revolutionary concept in a rank-conscious military thepurpleheart.comhttps://www.1011now.com. Though rarely awarded, this badge laid the groundwork for what would become the Purple Heart.

The story of the Purple Heart begins not in the 20th century, but during the very birth of the United States itself. On August 7, 1782, amid the uncertainty and fatigue of the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington issued a general order from his Newburgh, New York headquarters that would change the culture of military recognition.

He created the Badge of Military Merit—a heart-shaped cloth patch made of purple silk, edged with silver thread. At the time, military awards were almost exclusively reserved for officers of high rank, and enlisted soldiers were rarely, if ever, formally recognized for their acts of bravery or exceptional service. Washington’s vision was revolutionary in more ways than one: he believed that courage, loyalty, and meritorious service should be honored regardless of rank or station.

In his own words, Washington wrote that the award was for soldiers “who shall have distinguished themselves by singularly meritorious action” and that their names should be “enrolled in the Book of Merit.” It was a statement of equality in recognition, an early American value that would resonate through centuries.

Only three men are known to have received the Badge of Military Merit during the Revolutionary War: Sergeants Elijah Churchill, William Brown, and Daniel Bissell Jr. Each was honored for gallantry in combat or for carrying out exceptionally hazardous missions against the British. For decades after the war, however, the badge quietly faded into obscurity, its significance kept alive in historical archives and the hearts of those who understood its symbolic value.

Revived in 1932 on Washington’s bicentennial, General Douglas MacArthur reintroduced the award as the modern Purple Heart, designed as a purple, heart-shaped medal edged in bronze, featuring Washington’s bust Jagranjosh.comAmerican Battlefield TrustWikipedia. Initially awarded for both merit and wounds, in 1942–44, criteria were narrowed to exclusively honor those wounded or killed in action—transforming it into a symbol of sacrifice The Army Historical FoundationJagranjosh.com.

Today, it's estimated that over 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded United Service OrganizationsAP NewsTraces of WarVeteranLife.

Heroes Across the Ages

Lt. Annie G. Fox one of the earliest female Purple Heart recipients

Lieutenant Annie G. Fox – A Beacon of Calm Amid Chaos (Attack on Pearl Harbor WWII)

Born on August 4, 1893, in East Pubnico, Nova Scotia, Annie G. Fox rose through dedication and training to become a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, stationed at Hickam Field, Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, as Japanese planes unleashed devastation, Lt. Fox sprang into action. She administered anesthesia amid explosions, coordinated the dressing of wounded personnel, and calmly taught civilian volunteers to assist—all while remaining unflinchingly composed under fire. Her leadership and unbending courage uplifted the morale of those around her Wikipedia.

On October 26, 1942, Fox was awarded the Purple Heart for her extraordinary fidelity and service during the attack—even though she was not physically wounded Wikipedia. However, once regulations changed that the award could only go to injured personnel, her decoration was retroactively exchanged for a Bronze Star on October 6, 1944, leaving a lasting testimony to her valor Wikipedia. She later rose to the rank of Major and retired from service in 1945. Her story endures as a testament to frontline leadership and grace under fire.

Sergeant Marvin D. Cornett – From WWII Paratrooper to Honored Veteran

Sgt. Marvin D. Cornett, paratrooper wounded at Anzio, awarded the Purple Heart decades later

At age 23, Sgt. 1st Class Marvin D. Cornett joined the ranks of courageous WWII paratroopers leaping into the lethal battlefields of Italy. Assigned to the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the storied 82nd Airborne Division, Cornett participated in the harrowing Salerno beachhead operation and later fought on the Mussolini Canal at Anzio. On December 31, 1944, Cornett sustained combat wounds in one of the war’s fiercest campaigns .

Despite his bravery, red tape postponed his official recognition for decades. Finally, at a poignant ceremony on his 99th birthday, Cornett received both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal at Auburn, California—a powerful moment reconnecting him with the honor that had long eluded him The Library of Congress. His story beautifully illustrates that courage remembered—even after many years—is still worth honoring.

Lieutenant Colonel Tammy Duckworth – The Embodiment of Resilience

Tammy Duckworth, official portrait, 113th Congress

Lt. Col. Tammy Duckworth's journey is one of profound courage and resilience. Born in 1968, she followed in her father’s footsteps by joining the Army Reserve in 1992 and becoming one of the first women to pilot Black Hawk helicopters in combat WikipediaThe Library of Congress.

On November 12, 2004, while flying a routine mission in Iraq, her helicopter was struck by an RPG. The explosion tore through her lower body and right arm. Despite being grievously wounded and close to death, Duckworth remained lucid enough to attempt landing the aircraft. Miraculously, she survived, demonstrating the Combat ethos of “aviate, navigate, communicate” under unimaginable duress The Library of CongressTammy DuckworthTIME.

She was awarded the Purple Heart shortly thereafter, promoted to major while recovering, and eventually retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2014 after serving fearlessly in both military and public service spheres WikipediaHKS Student Policy Review.

Her road to recovery at Walter Reed was filled with pain, perseverance, and profound empathy. Sergeant First Class Juanita Wilson—a fellow amputee—washed Duckworth’s hair in a poignant moment of solidarity, wordlessly reminding her of shared strength and hope womenunderfire.netnavyreads.blogspot.com. Duckworth’s experience transformed her into a fierce advocate for wounded veterans, ultimately launching her successful political career, where she continues to champion their needs HKS Student Policy ReviewTeen Vogue.

Purple Heart Medal of Honor recipient US Congress Rep Tammy Duckworth in the Iraq War

Why These Stories Matter

Each of these narratives—from Lt. Fox's poised courage, Cornett’s belated recognition, to Duckworth’s unyielding spirit—serves as a powerful chapter in the Purple Heart’s legacy. They remind us that the award honors not only wounds endured but tenacity, sacrifice, and humanity. These stories deserve to be told, remembered, and shared.

Why the Purple Heart Matters

Equality in Recognition: The award is granted solely based on wounds in combat—rank and prestige matter not. It’s a rare egalitarian honor in U.S. military history The Army Historical Foundation.
A Living Legacy: From the Revolutionary era to modern engagements, the Purple Heart links generations of warriors through shared sacrifice.
Stories Worth Preserving: Though there’s no complete official roll, projects like the Roll of Honor—with over 200,000 entries—ensure these stories endure

In Closing

Through stories of heroism, valor, and resilience—from the Revolutionary War to modern battlefields—the Purple Heart remains a powerful tribute to every servicemember wounded in the line of duty. Let us continue honoring these heroes and ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten.