Congressman Higgins Introduces the Purple Heart Flag Act

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) joined a meeting of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 187 to announce introduction of the Purple Heart Flag Act (H.R. 5237), legislation officially designating a Purple Heart flag and making public display of the flag at federal facilities protocol on specific days. 

Similar to the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag, the bill would require display of the Purple Heart flag in our nation’s war memorials, national cemeteries, veterans’ hospitals, and the Departments of Defense, State, and Veterans Affairs on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day. 

“We could never do enough to repay those who are injured or killed in service to this nation, but regularly displaying a Purple Heart Flag would serve as a public declaration that says: we thank you, we honor you, and we will never forget the sacrifices made,” said Congressman Higgins.  

The idea for the bill was brought to Congressman Higgins by Russell D. Ward, Vietnam War veteran and Senior Vice Commander of Military Order of the Purple Heart Buffalo Chapter 187, during a veteran event in September. 

Higgins introduced the bill on November 21, 2019 and is hoping for broad bipartisan support. “A Purple Heart Flag would be a tremendous addition at government buildings nationwide, spreading honor throughout America for those who were killed or wounded in combat in all of America’s wars while defending our freedom and principals,” said U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran Russ Ward.   

Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 187 Adjutant Jim Schaller added, “I would hope that this bill passes both the House and the Senate and is signed by the President so that someday soon Purple Heart Flags will be flying right under the United States Flag that has draped those that have given their all for this great Nation. 

People will hopefully stop and ponder the fact that this flag represents all those who shed their blood on foreign soil fighting against an enemy of the United States so that Americans can enjoy all the freedoms we have.” “Whether honoring a local Purple Heart hero in Western New York, or looking out for the best interests of veterans across the community and the nation, there is one constant: the dedicated members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 187 voluntarily report for duty again and again with the sole mission of supporting those who sacrificed and served,” said Higgins.    

On August 7, 1782, General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, a piece of heart-shaped purple cloth embroidered with the word “merit” in white thread, presented to those engaging in extraordinary meritorious actions.  Gen. Washington intended the award to be permanent, but it was only presented to a few soldiers who served during the Revolutionary War.

The Purple Heart medal was later implemented in its current form in 1932 on President Washington’s 200th Birthday by Army General Douglas MacArthur and officially developed into today’s version by 1944. The Purple Heart is presented to service members of the U.S. armed forces who have been wounded or killed as a direct result of enemy action and is the oldest badge still awarded to the U.S. military today. 

To amend title 36, United States Code, to designate a flag as the Purple

Heart Flag.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. HIGGINS of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred

to the Committee on llllllllllllll

A BILL

To amend title 36, United States Code, to designate a flag as the Purple Heart Flag.

116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Purple Heart Flag Act’’.

SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF PURPLE HEART FLAG.

(a) DESIGNATION.—Chapter 9 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol- lowing new section:

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November 21, 2019 (11:45 a.m.)

‘‘§ 904. Purple Heart Flag

‘‘(a) DESIGNATION.—A flag that features the seal of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (adopted under section 140505 of this title) centered on a purple field is designated as the Purple Heart Flag.

‘‘(b) PUBLIC DISPLAY REQUIRED.—The Purple Heart Flag shall be displayed in a manner visible to the public—

‘‘(1) on days including those specified in sub- section (c); and

‘‘(2) at locations including those specified in subsection (d).

‘‘(c) DAYS FOR DISPLAY.—The days specified in this subsection are the following:

‘‘(1) Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May.

‘‘(2) Memorial Day, the last Monday in May. ‘‘(3) Flag Day, June 1.
‘‘(4) National POW/MIA Recognition Day. ‘‘(5) Veterans Day, November 11.

‘‘(d) LOCATIONS FOR DISPLAY.—The locations speci- fied in this subsection are the following:

‘‘(1) The World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

‘‘(2) Each national cemetery.

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3
‘‘(3) The buildings containing the official office

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November 21, 2019 (11:45 a.m.)

of—

‘‘(A) the Secretary of State;
‘‘(B) the Secretary of Defense;
‘‘(C) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;

and
‘‘(D) the Director of the Selective Service

System.

‘‘(4) Each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs.’’.

(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections

at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding

at the end the following new item:‘‘904. Purple Heart Flag.’’.