Texas Purple Heart Medal
TypeMilitary decoration
Awarded for"being wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces"
DescriptionThe ribbon drape is of purple and white stripes. The medal is gold in the shape of a heart surmounted by the Alamo Mission in San Antonio. Within the medal is a purple heart with a star of five points, encircled by olive and live oak branches, the Coat of Arms of Texas.
Presented byTexas Military Department
EligibilityTexas Military Forces
StatusCurrently issued
EstablishedJune 17, 2005
Texas Purple Heart medal ribbon
Precedence
Next (higher)Texas Medal of Valor
Next (lower)Texas Superior Service Medal

The Texas Purple Heart Medal, commonly referred to as the Texas Purple Heart, is the third highest military decoration that can be conferred to a service member of the Texas Military Forces.[1] Subsequent decorations are conferred by a white enameled five-pointed star trimmed in gold device.[2]

Eligibility

The Texas Purple Heart is conferred to any service member of the Texas Military Forces who was mobilized into service under command of the United States Armed Forces (Title 10) after 11 September 2001 and meets the criteria for decoration of the United States Purple Heart.[2]

Authority

Conferring

The Adjutant General of Texas.[2]

The Texas Purple Heart Medal was established by Senator Kel Seliger in Senate Bill 955, authorized by the Seventy-ninth Texas Legislature, and approved by Governor Rick Perry on 17 June 2005, effective the same date.[3]

Description

Medal

The medal pendant has a heart-shaped design that is bordered by a gold edge, measuring 1 3/8 inches in width. It features a white star adorned with a green wreath in its center. Positioned above the heart-shaped shield is a front view of the Alamo. On the reverse side, a raised bronze heart is situated beneath the coat of arms and leaves, with the words "FOR MILITARY MERIT" inscribed below it. The medal pendant is suspended from a metal loop that is attached to a silk moiré ribbon measuring 1 3/8 inches in width. The ribbon consists of three stripes, starting with an 1/8 inch white stripe (67101), followed by a 1 1/8 inch purple stripe (67115), and ending with another 1/8 inch white stripe (67101). A large white enameled five-pointed star, trimmed in gold, is mounted in the center of the ribbon with one point facing upward, measuring 3/8 of an inch in diameter.[2]

Device

The recipient of a second or subsequent decoration will receive a white enameled five-pointed star, measuring 3/8 of an inch in diameter and trimmed in gold. These stars will be worn centered on the ribbon, with one point facing upward, alongside the star that was part of the original award. A maximum of four stars, including the star that comes with the original decoration, may be worn.[2]

Recipients

Date conferred Service Member Abbreviated Citation Texas Military Unit Command Conflict Ref
June 14, 2004 Sergeant Douglas Bennett WIA A Co. 1-124th Cavalry, 49th Armored Division DOD Operation Iraqi Freedom II
June 14, 2004 Corporal Jeff Montgomery WIA A Co. 1-124th Cavalry, 49th Armored Division DOD Operation Iraqi Freedom II
August 2005 Specialist Christopher Beck WIA C co 2BN 142Inf Reg. 56 Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division DOD Operation Iraqi Freedom III
September 2015 Specialist James Burkett WIA A Troop, 1-112 Cavalry Squadron, 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division DOD Sinai insurgency [4]
September 2015 Private First Class Jose Romo WIA A Troop, 1-112 Cavalry Squadron, 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division DOD Sinai insurgency [4]
September 2015 Staff Sergeant Guadalupe Chapa WIA A Troop, 1-112 Cavalry Squadron, 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division DOD Sinai insurgency [4]
September 2015 Sergeant Michael Cantu WIA A Troop, 1-112 Cavalry Squadron, 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division DOD Sinai insurgency [4]
March 2016 Civilian Michael Grant Cahill KIA 2009 Fort Hood shooting [5]
March 2016 Major Libardo Eduardo Caraveo KIA 2009 Fort Hood shooting [5]
March 2016 Staff Sergeant Justin Michael DeCrow KIA 2009 Fort Hood shooting [5]
March 2016 Captain John P. Gaffaney KIA 2009 Fort Hood shooting [5]
March 2016 Specialist Frederick Greene KIA 2009 Fort Hood shooting [5]
March 2016 Specialist Jason Dean Hunt KIA 2009 Fort Hood shooting [5]
March 2016 Staff Sergeant Amy Sue Krueger KIA 2009 Fort Hood shooting [5]
March 2016 Private First Class Aaron Thomas Nemelka KIA 2009 Fort Hood shooting [5]
March 2016 Private First Class Michael S. Pearson KIA 2009 Fort Hood shooting [5]
March 2016 Captain Russell Gilbert Seager KIA 2009 Fort Hood shooting [5]
March 2016 Private First Class Francheska Velez KIA 2009 Fort Hood shooting [5]
March 2016 Lieutenant Colonel Juanita L. Warman KIA 2009 Fort Hood shooting [5]
March 2016 Private First Class Kham See Xiong KIA 2009 Fort Hood shooting [5]
October 13, 2022 First Lieutenant Christopher Beck WIA - mortar fire Texas Army National Guard DOD Operation Iraqi Freedom II [6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "State Awards". TMD.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Joint Force Texas Regulation (1-07)" (PDF). Texas Military Department. August 1, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Bill SB 955, Legislative Session 79(R)". Texas Legislature Online.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Release, Press (September 24, 2015). "Governor Abbott Presents Texas Purple Heart To Four Soldiers". Office of the Texas Governor.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Release, Press (March 11, 2016). "Governor Abbott Presents Texas Purple Hearts, Honors Victims Of Fort Hood Terror Attack". Office of the Texas Governor.
  6. ↑ Brown, David (October 13, 2022). "Making History: Lubbock-based Texas State Guard Soldier Awarded Texas Purple Heart". TMD News. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
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