Purple Heart Medal Stamps

Description

This stamp issue continues to recognize the sacrifice and service of the men and women of the U.S. military with the Purple Heart Medal 2019 design, which shows the medal hanging from its purple and white ribbon.

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president of the United States to members of the military who have been wounded or killed in action. According to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, an organization representing combat-wounded veterans, it is considered the oldest military decoration still in use today and the first military award made available to an ordinary soldier.

Originally established by General George Washington during the Revolutionary War, the first version of the honor was a purple cloth heart given for meritorious action. It was later discontinued after the war. In 1932, marking the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth, the decoration was revived and redesigned as a metal purple heart outlined in gold and suspended from a purple and white ribbon. At the center of the medal is a profile image of George Washington beneath his family coat of arms.

The Purple Heart Medal 2019 stamp is an updated version of the 2012 Purple Heart Medal issue and includes a purple border that echoes the rich color of the medal and ribbon. The medal was photographed by Ira Wexler. William J. Gicker served as art director, and Bryan Duefrene was the designer.

This stamp is issued as a Forever stamp, meaning it will always be valid for the current one-ounce First-Class Mail postage rate.