The Purple Heart. Just saying those three words creates a sense of awe and honor, a respect for service and sacrifice. The Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given, with roots that date back to August 7, 1782, when President George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit and awarded it to three servicemen to honor their bravery in combat during the Revolutionary War.
However, the award was not used again until General Douglas MacArthur brought it back 150 years later, in 1932, calling it the Purple Heart and introducing a new design. When MacArthur reintroduced it, the Purple Heart was to be awarded to Army members with honorable service and those injured or killed in battle. In 1942, qualifications were changed to only be awarded to those have been injured or killed in battle, and changes were made to include service members from all branches and to allow the medal to be awarded posthumously. Eligibility standards have changed over the years to include more people. For example, in 1996, prisoners of war became eligible to receive a Purple Heart.
Today, the award is a purple and gold heart-shaped badge on a purple and silver ribbon. A profile of President Washington is on the front, with a shield of his coat of arms. On the back are three simple words that speak volumes about the individual who belongs to the Order of the Purple Heart and received the award: For Military Merit.
In order to receive a Purple Heart, active-duty service members are recommended to receive one through their chain of command providing details about the injuries and their causes. Purple Hearts are mostly automatic for combat wounds but are still reviewed to ensure they were the result of enemy encounters.
Because of clerical errors and instances of never-issued medals, there is no true count of how many Kentuckians have been awarded a Purple Heart.
In 2010 and 2011, two Kentucky National Guardsmen returned home and received Purple Heart medals for their time serving in Afghanistan. On November 6, 2010, Army Staff Sgt. Chris Eden received his Purple Heart after surviving an explosion from an improvised explosive device that hit his Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle during a convoy escort in Afghanistan. The explosion hit under Eden’s seat and broke his back. Upon returning home, his Purple Heart was presented to him at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
After a rocket struck soldiers’ living facilities in the early morning hours of December 30, 2010, Army Staff Sgt. Dennis LeFrancois was severely injured. He underwent surgery, recovered, and finished his final two weeks of service in Afghanistan before returning home in early 2011. Shortly after his return, he was awarded a Purple Heart.
Other Kentuckians who have been awarded the Order of the Purple Heart include:
Greensburg native Dakota Meyer, a Marine who received the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal in Afghanistan.
Private First Class Eric P. Woods of Henderson County, who was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart after being killed in action in Iraq in 2005.
Sergeant First Class Charles M. "Chuck" Brown was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously after being killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010. Sergeant Brown was from Franklin.
Sergeant John E. Dawson of Whitley City was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart after being killed in action in Afghanistan in 2015.
For more detailed records, the National Archives or local veteran organizations might have more comprehensive information about Purple Heart recipients from Kentucky.
Without the bravery and sacrifice of men like these, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy daily. Their courage and willingness to put their life on the line to defend our nation must always be remembered and honored. Purple Hearts are just one way we are able to honor their willingness to put themselves in harms way for the sake of others.
As we celebrate Purple Heart Day this year – 242 years after Washington bestowed the first, take a moment to reflect on the cost of our freedom. And, if you know a veteran or service member that has received a Purple Heart, take time to thank them for their sacrifice.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at Amy.Neighbors@lrc.ky.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
