Purple Heart Medal - U.S. Military Decoration for Combat Wounds #2004467 (License: Personal Use)

The Purple Heart medal, established by George Washington in 1782 and revived in 1932, honors U.S. service members wounded or killed while serving in combat. Its design includes a gold heart-shaped outline with a purple enamel center, a raised profile of Washington in gold, and a shield above bearing three stars and red-and-white stripes flanked by green laurel leaves. The accompanying ribbon features vertical stripes of purple and white, symbolizing valor and purity.

This image is used on military history websites, veteran support pages, government portals (e.g., VA or DoD), and educational resources about U.S. military awards. It serves users seeking information on eligibility, history, or visual identification of the medal.