The U.S. Postal Service dedicated the new Purple Heart stamp today during a ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center where two wounded soldiers — Army Sergeant Robert Evans and Private First Class Marcus Labadie — were awarded Purple Hearts by General Colin L. Powell (Retired).
The 41-cent Purple Heart stamp goes on sale nationally today. It is the third time the stamp has been issued.
This year is the 75th anniversary of the Purple Heart medal. It is also the 225th anniversary of the Badge of Military Merit, the predecessor to the Purple Heart medal, which was established and awarded by General George Washington on Aug. 7, 1782.
The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president of the United States to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action. It is one of the oldest military decorations in the world and the first award made available to a common soldier.
The stamp features a photograph by Ira Wexler of a Purple Heart medal — awarded to Lieutenant Colonel James Loftus Fowler, U.S. Marines, in 1968. It was first issued on May 30, 2003, at Mount Vernon, VA. The second issuance was on May 26, 2006, at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.
