Gen. George Washington established America's oldest military decoration as the Badge of Military Merit in 1782. Redesignated the Purple Heart in 1932, it has been known as such ever since.
Military service members receive the Purple Heart for being wounded or killed in any military action against an enemy. Recipients receive many special federal and state benefits.
Federal Benefits
Automatic Upgrade of Medical Priority Group
The Department of Veterans Affairs has eight different priority groups for veterans seeking medical treatment. Those in Priority Group 1 have a disability of 50% or greater or are unemployable and get all their medical care free from the VA. Those in Priority Group 8 usually aren't eligible for medical care because their disabilities aren't service-connected or their income is too high.
Purple Heart recipients are automatically upgraded to Priority Group 3 regardless of the severity of their injuries or their income. This gives them higher-priority access to medical care and relieves them from paying any copays for VA medical treatment or hospitalization.
Home Loan Benefits
Purple Heart recipients who are active-duty members or veterans receiving disability compensation may be exempt from the VA Home Loan funding fee.
GI Bill Benefits
Purple Heart recipients are automatically granted full Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits regardless of the amount of time they spent on active duty, and they are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program to help cover the cost of private institutions. Normally for the maximum Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility, a veteran must have served at least 36 months of active duty.
Commissary and Exchange Privileges
Purple Heart recipients may shop at commissaries and exchanges. Check with your location for the required documentation.
Hiring Preference
Purple Heart recipients with an honorable discharge are granted a 10-point preference for federal hiring.
State Benefits
Most states offer several benefits to Purple Heart recipients. These can range from free college for them and their family members to special license plates. Check out our state benefits page for details.
Stay on Top of Your Veteran Benefits
Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by subscribing to Military.com, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with all latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox.
![Officials look at a damage site at a residential complex in Kazan, Russia.](http://images04.military.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_large/public/2024-12/ApNewsroom_Russia_Ukraine_73681.jpg?itok=l-hCuZQ_ "In this photo released Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, by the official Telegram channel of the Kazan City Hall, local officials look at a damage site at the residential complex called "Lazurnye Nebesa," or Azure Skies, in Kazan, Russia, following Ukrainian drone attacks. (Official Telegram channel of the Kazan City Hall via AP)")
