The Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, the Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the president’s name to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military. Its predecessor, the Badge of Military Merit, which was a heart made of purple cloth, led to the Purple Heart being the oldest military award still issued to U.S. military members. Merit, which took the form of a heart made of purple cloth, the Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members.
