How many Purple Hearts were awarded in Vietnam?

350,000 Purple Hearts
For his combat wounds, Millett was awarded a Purple Heart. He also received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the same engagement. Over 350,000 Purple Hearts were awarded during the Vietnam War. Well-known soldier recipients include Generals Colin L. Powell, H.

Are Purple Heart recipients public record?

The awarding of Purple Hearts was a decentralized process and there is no single collection of records for purple heart award files. General orders awarding Purple Hearts are typically found in individual unit records or the records of the military hospital where the soldier was treated.

What does it mean to be discharged with a Purple Heart?

The Purple Heart medal is presented to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. military. A Purple Heart is a solemn distinction and means a service member has greatly sacrificed themselves, or paid the ultimate price, while in the line of duty.

Are Purple Heart medals engraved?

Most often, Purple Hearts are engraved with the Veterans name. This normally signifies them as “Presentation Purple Hearts”, which means the Veteran was killed in combat and the government had the medal engraved and sent it to the family. Some Purple Hearts are not marked what soever.

What is the most Purple Hearts awarded to one person?

Ireland – Marine Corps. Staff Sergeant Albert Ireland has the distinction of being awarded the most Purple Hearts of any individual across all branches of service. During his 12 years of service – spanning two wars from 1941 to 1953 – Ireland was wounded a total of nine times.

Are Purple Hearts numbered?

The BB&B Purple Heart is numbered on the lower left rim in the range of 1-60000, made of Bronze with Gold gilt. Enamel heart, & split wrap brooch. This example is numbered “48550” and issued to Lawrence L. Benedict for wounds received during World War I.

Is a Purple Heart a Medal of Honor?

Apart from the Medal of Honor, one of the most recognizable awards in the US Armed Forces is the Purple Heart. “For military merit and for wounds received in action,” reads the citation issued to over 1 million men and women who served during World War II.