The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor

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The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is a 7,500 square foot facility whose mission is to collect, preserve and share the stories of America's Purple Heart recipients. Since 1932, approximately 1.7 million military personnel from all walks of life have earned the medal in service to the nation. Their stories are preserved and shared through exhibits, live and videotaped interviews with the veterans themselves and the Roll of Honor, an interactive computer data base preserving the stories of each individual. The Roll of Honor currently contains the names of over 175,000 Purple Heart recipients. The goal of the Hall of Honor is to develop as comprehensive a list of recipients as can be made. There is no other list and so this ongoing effort is an important and vital way to honor and commemorate those wounded or killed in service to our nation. Visitor’s are encouraged to view “For Military Merit”, an 18 minute video about the Badge of Military Merit and the Purple Heart.

The galleries present a timeline of America's wars and military conflicts in which Americans have been wounded and killed, while displays of objects, documents and photographs trace themes such as medical evacuation and treatment of the wounded on and off the battlefield.

Highlights of the collection include George Washington's Badge of Military Merit, as well as letters, photographs and other items that reflect the experience of being at war and being wounded.

Programs for the general public and for school groups explain the significance and history of the Purple Heart medal, and help convey aspects of the wartime experience.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is co-located with the New Windsor Cantonment which was the last encampment of the Continental Army for 1782 - 1783, the final winter of the Revolutionary War. In 1782, George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, and the following year, officers met at the Cantonment to determine candidates for the award, the inspiration for today's Purple Heart. In 1932, some of the nation's very first Purple Hearts were presented to veterans of World War I on these same grounds.

THE HALL NEEDS YOU!
If you are a Purple Heart recipient or know someone who is, you can make sure the story will be preserved by contacting the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor at 845-561-1765 to enroll in the Roll of Honor. Staff members are collecting the name and story of each recipient, proof of receipt (a DD-214 discharge certificate or equivalent) as well as any photographs and personal mementos that will help tell each recipient's story. Your efforts will ensure that the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor continues to serve veterans, their families and scholars with stories preserved through the generations.

For enrollment information, and other questions please visit the Hall of Honor website:www.thepurpleheart.com

Street and GPS address:
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
374 Temple Hill Road (Route 300)
New Windsor NY 12553

Mailing address:
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
P.O. Box 207
Vail’s Gate NY 12584

Phone: 845-561-1765

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