Aug. 7 is Purple Heart Day, which honors service members and veterans who were wounded or killed while serving the U.S.
The Purple Heart, originally called the Badge of Merit, was established in 1782 by President George Washington. It is the oldest active award still presented to American service members today.
In 1932, Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur created the Purple Heart as it looks today, featuring Washington in the center of a purple heart.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor estimates 1.8 million service members have received this medal. UT Health San Antonio is home to approximately 800 military affiliated students, faculty and staff, some of whom have been awarded a Purple Heart.
UT Health San Antonio’s Military Health Institute works to strengthen the military health activities of the institution to improve the lives of military service members, veterans and their families. Learn more about the Military Health Institute at https://militaryhealthinstitute.org/.