The Purple Heart medal and its attendant Purple Heart certificate are awarded in the name of the President of the United States to military service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of combat with enemy forces. It is a high distinction worn with pride by those who have earned the right to wear this medal. The Purple Heart certificate is tangible proof that the recipient has earned that right.
Some Purple Hearts were awarded on the spot during combat operations in past wars. This led to some service members not having the appropriate entries made in their records. Possession of a Purple Heart certificate is proof that records need correction. The Purple Heart certificate is a handsome document that is framed in a place of honor by many recipients.
Printed on cream-colored, heavy parchment, the Purple Heart Certificate features a raised depiction of the medal. Billowing white-bordered, purple ribbon frames the medal, which is a gold-bordered purple heart bearing the likeness of General George Washington. Washington’s personal coat of arms rests at the apex of the heart, a white shield with two red bars and three red stars. The certificate states to all who bear witness to it, that the President of the United States of America has awarded the Purple Heart, established by General George Washington at Newburgh, NY, August 7, 1782 to the recipient for wounds received in action. The certificate not only names the recipient, but also the location of where the wound was received and the date. The date of the award is denoted and the document is signed by the prescribing authority and the Secretary of the Branch of Service to which the service member belongs.
Owning a Purple Heart, and its certificate, is a point of pride for service members.
