WWII US Purple Heart

This is a genuine WWII US Purple Heart medal — America's oldest military decoration, awarded to members of the US Armed Forces who are wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States. The Purple Heart bears the profile of George Washington and is one of the most recognizable and respected medals in American military history.

The modern Purple Heart was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, reviving Washington's original Badge of Military Merit. During WW2, over 1.7 million Purple Hearts were awarded — a testament to the enormous human cost of the conflict. The medal was awarded for wounds received in combat, ranging from minor injuries to those that proved fatal.

WW2-era Purple Hearts are among the most collected American military medals. Each one represents a soldier who paid a personal price in service to their country, and they are preserved in this collection as a tribute to that sacrifice.