Purple Heart Eligibility Changed

Week of October 20, 2008

Prisoners of war who have died in captivity since the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 are now eligible for the Purple Heart award. The new policy will allow retroactive award of the Purple Heart to qualifying POWs since World War II, which will cover a large number of American POWs who died in captivity during that war. Each military department will publish application procedures for retroactive Purple Heart awards. Family members with questions may contact the services directly: Air Force, 800-616-3775; Army, 703-325-8700; Navy, 314-592-1150; Marine Corps, 703-784-9340. Read the full article on Military.com.