Can a civilian receive a purple heart medal?

Answer 1

No. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to a member of any of the US Armed Services for "heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving aerial flight, while engaged in combat against an enemy or while serving in combat with friendly foreign forces".

To correct the previous poster, The answer is yes, In rare instances a Civilian can be awarded the Bronze Star, Such as with the case of Joseph L Galloway

"Joseph Lee "Joe" Galloway (born November 13, 1941), is an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. He is the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and is presently a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers. During the Vietnam War, he often fought alongside the troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star for carrying wounded men to safety."

He was a reporter embedded with a unit in the and In 1998, Galloway received a Bronze Star with Valor "V" device for rescuing wounded soldiers under fire in the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam in November 1965. His was the only medal awarded to a civilian by the U.S. Army for valor during the Vietnam War.

He is depicted in the Movie "We Were Soldiers".

Joe E. Brown logged 200,000 miles at his own expense to entertain the troops in WW2. He was one of the few civilians to be awarded the Bronze Star medal.

Answer 2

Established by General George Washington -- known as the "Badge of Military Merit"-- on August 7, 1782. Revived as the Purple Heart in 1932 by General Douglas MacArthur (War Department General Orders No. 3, as amended (reference (ttt)) and Navy authority is Executive Order 9277 (reference )). b. Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received under any of the following circumstances: (1) In action against an enemy of the United States. (2) In action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged. (3) While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. (4) As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces. (5) As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force. (6) After March 28, 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States. (7) After March 28, 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force. (8) A Service member who is killed or wounded in action as the result of action by friendly weapon fue while directly engaged in armed conflict, other than as a result of an act of an enemy of the U. S., unless (in the case of a wound) the wound is the result of willful misconduct of the member under Section 1129, title 10, U.S.C. (reference (uuu)). (9) Before April 25, 1962, while held as a prisoner of war (or while being taken captive) in the same manner as a former prisoner of war who is wounded on or after that date while held as a prisoner of war (or while being taken captive under Section 521, DoD Authorization Act for 1996 (reference (vvv)).

Answer 3

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year1998 (Public Law 105-85) changed the criteria to delete authorization for award of the Purple Heart Medal to any civilian national of the United States while serving under competent authority in any capacity with the Armed Forces.

Answer 4

YES

Joe E. Brown - Actor/Entertainer received a Bronze Star as a civilian for entertaining the troops in WWII. He was one of 2 issued to civilians during WWII. Without the “V” for valor which only goes to combat troops.

Answer 5

No, the Purple Heart is for military personnel.