When is Purple Heart Day 2026?
Purple Heart Day 2026 is Friday, August 7, 2026 — the 244th anniversary of the Badge of Military Merit, created by George Washington on August 7, 1782.
Purple Heart Day 2026: Friday, August 7
Purple Heart Day 2026 falls on Friday, August 7, 2026. It honors the recipients of the Purple Heart — service members wounded or killed by enemy action — on the anniversary of the day in 1782 when General George Washington created its predecessor, the Badge of Military Merit.
Purple Heart Day 2026: Friday, August 7: what to know
- Purple Heart Day 2026 is Friday, August 7, 2026.
- 2026 date: Friday, August 7.
- Type: Military observance.
- Commemorates: Badge of Military Merit, created August 7, 1782.
- Created by: General George Washington at Newburgh, New York.
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Last reviewed: July 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who receives the Purple Heart?
The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are wounded or killed by enemy action, or who die of wounds received in action. Unlike most decorations, it is an entitlement based on qualifying wounds rather than a recommendation-based award.
Is the Purple Heart America’s oldest military award?
Yes, by lineage. Its predecessor, the Badge of Military Merit, was created by George Washington in 1782 during the Revolutionary War, making the Purple Heart the oldest U.S. military decoration still awarded to service members.
Do Purple Heart recipients get VA loan benefits?
Purple Heart recipients are frequently also veterans with VA home loan eligibility, and active-duty Purple Heart recipients are exempt from the VA funding fee — typically a savings of thousands of dollars. Veterans receiving service-connected disability compensation are also exempt. A Certificate of Eligibility confirms exemption status.