The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under component authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services, are wounded or killed, or who died or may die after being wounded during any action against an enemy of the United States. The Purple Heart is the only military decoration that may be awarded more than three years after the act or period of service to be honored. The Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not “recommended” for the decoration; rather the Soldier is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria.
 
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AR 600-8-22, Military Awards
ARNG-HRH Policy Memorandum 11-048, Revised Policy for Individual Retroactive Combat Award Recommendations
DoDM 1348.33, Volume 1, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: General Information, Medal of Honor, and Defense/Joint Decorations and Awards
DoDM 1348.33, Volume 3, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD-Wide Performance and Valor Awards; Foreign Awards; Military Awards to Foreign Personnel and U.S. Public Health Service Officers; and Miscellaneous Information
MILPER Message 10-236, Purple Heart Approval Authority to Hospital Commanders Receiving Casualties From Wartime Theater
MILPER Message 11-125, Army Directive 2011-07 Awarding the Purple Heart
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Document
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Additional Information
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DA Form 4187 (Personnel Action)
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N/A
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Chain of Command Endorsements
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· Through the first General Officer in the Soldier’s current chain of command for Soldiers currently serving
· The first General Officer in the chain of command of the Soldier recommended for the Purple Heart Award for injuries received during a previous deployment may disapprove the recommendation, in accordance with MILPER Message 11-125 (Army Directive 2011-07 Awarding the Purple Heart)
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DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty)
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N/A
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Deployment Orders
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N/A
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One Page Narrative
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Describing the qualifying incident and the conditions under which the Soldier was injured or wounded
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SF 600 (Medical Record – Chronological Record of Medical Care)
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· Must include pre-audiogram and post-audiogram, if submitting a packet related to hearing loss (also useful for traumatic brain injury (TBI))
· For concussion related injuries, to include TBI, Military Acute Concussion Evaluation (MACE) results and VA and/or civilian documents are also authorized
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Casualty Report (Unclassified)
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N/A
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DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record), Enlisted Record Brief (ERB), or Officer Record Brief (ORB)
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As appropriate
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Witness Statements
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From at least two individuals other than the recommended recipient, who were personally present, observed the incident, and have direct knowledge of the event
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Note: Veterans may submit a Privacy Release Statement with a Request Memorandum in lieu of DA Form 4187-1-R (Personnel Action Form Addendum) and General Officer Endorsement.
Note: Do not submit any classified documents.
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Applying for the Purple Heart Award
- Unit collects all minimum required documents
- Unit sends the Purple Heart Packet to Personnel Policy Division – Special Actions Branch (ARNG-HRH-A) (Awards Section)
- ARNG-HRH-A sends Purple Heart Packet to U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC)
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What are justifiable examples of enemy-related injuries that would qualify a Soldier to receive the Purple Heart?
According to AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards), Chapter 2-8, examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows: - Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action
- Injury caused by enemy placed mine or trap
- Injury caused by enemy related chemical, biological, or nuclear agent
- Injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accident resulting from enemy fire
- Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions
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What are examples of injuries that would not result in receiving the Purple Heart?
According to AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards), Chapter 2-8, examples of injuries or wounds which clearly do not justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows: -
Frostbite or trench foot injuries -
Heat stroke -
Food poisoning not caused by enemy agents -
Chemical, biological, or nuclear agents not released by the enemy -
Battle fatigue -
Disease not directly caused by enemy agents -
Accidents, to include explosive, aircraft, vehicular, and other accidental wounding not related to or caused by enemy action -
Self-inflicted wounds, except when in the heat of battle and not involving gross negligence -
Post traumatic stress disorders -
Jump injuries not caused by enemy action |
What is the definition of wound?
According to AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards), Chapter 2-8, a wound is defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or agent sustained under one or more of the specific conditions. A physical lesion is not required, however, the wound for which the award is made must have required treatment by medical personnel and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record. |
What is the expected processing time of the Purple Heart Award through ARNG-HRH-A to HRC?
The expected processing time through ARNG-HRH-A to HRC for the Purple Heart is 90-120 days after HRC receives the packet. |
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