Purple Heart Trike - A Tribute to U.S. Veterans

The Purple Heart Trike will then be customized to accommodate the special needs of the soldier it is awarded to.

The Dream Trike project is accepting nominations of Purple Heart recipients from the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard through August 1, 2008. Please take moment to nominate a combat wounded soldier, from any era.

Please help sponsor the construction of the bike and the Schisler's efforts to tour the U.S.A. displaying the bike and bringing much deserved attention to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.

To learn more, see the trike
in person, or nominate a Veteran, please click here.

Purple Heart Trike Tour Schedule.

Falsely Claiming to be a Recipient

Per the Stolen Valor Act of 2005:
Any false verbal, written or physical claim to the Purple Heart Medal, by an individual to whom it has not been awarded, is a federal felony offence punishable by jail time and/or a fine.



What is the Purple Heart Medal?
According to Wikipedia, The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after 5 April 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in Newburgh, New York. The Purple Heart is the oldest symbol and award that is still given to U.S. soldiers in service, surpassed in history only by the long obsolete Fidelity Medallion.

History

In 1782, George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, a heart shaped medal of recognition for soldiers of the American Revolution. The Purple Heart was not used again until 1931, when General Douglas MacArthur had the medal redesigned.

Criteria
(excerpt from Army Regulation 600-8-22 regarding Military Awards)
A. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded-

1. In any action against an enemy of the United States.

2. In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged.

3. While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

4. As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces.

5. As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force.

6. After 28 March 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of the Army, or jointly by the Secretaries of the separate armed services concerned if persons from more than one service are wounded in the attack.

7. After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.

B. While clearly an individual decoration, the Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not "recommended" for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria.

1. A Purple Heart is authorized for the first wound suffered under conditions indicated above, but for each subsequent award an Oak Leaf Cluster will be awarded to be worn on the medal or ribbon. Not more
than one award will be made for more than one wound or injury received at the same instant or from the same missile, force, explosion, or agent.

2. 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 conditions listed above. A physical lesion is not required, however, the wound for which the award is made must have required treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record.

3. When contemplating an award of this decoration, the key issue that commanders must take into consideration is the degree to which the enemy caused the injury. The fact that the proposed recipient was participating in direct or indirect combat operations is a necessary prerequisite, but is not sole justification for award.

C. A Purple Heart will be issued to the next of kin of each person entitled to a posthumous award. Issue will be made automatically by the Commanding General, PERSCOM, upon receiving a report of death
indicating entitlement.



Please thank a soldier for the sacrifices they have made in service to our country.