Award
The Texas Purple Heart Medal , commonly referred to as the Texas Purple Heart , is the third highest military decoration that can be conferred to a service member of the Texas Military Forces .[ 1] Subsequent decorations are conferred by a white enameled five-pointed star trimmed in gold device.[ 2]
Eligibility
The Texas Purple Heart is conferred to any service member of the Texas Military Forces who was mobilized into service under command of the United States Armed Forces (Title 10 ) after 11 September 2001 and meets the criteria for decoration of the United States Purple Heart .[ 2]
Authority
Conferring
The Adjutant General of Texas .[ 2]
Legal
The Texas Purple Heart Medal was established by Senator Kel Seliger in Senate Bill 955, authorized by the Seventy-ninth Texas Legislature , and approved by Governor Rick Perry on 17 June 2005, effective the same date.[ 3]
Description
Medal
The medal pendant has a heart-shaped design that is bordered by a gold edge, measuring 1 3/8 inches in width. It features a white star adorned with a green wreath in its center. Positioned above the heart-shaped shield is a front view of the Alamo. On the reverse side, a raised bronze heart is situated beneath the coat of arms and leaves, with the words "FOR MILITARY MERIT" inscribed below it. The medal pendant is suspended from a metal loop that is attached to a silk moiré ribbon measuring 1 3/8 inches in width. The ribbon consists of three stripes, starting with an 1/8 inch white stripe (67101), followed by a 1 1/8 inch purple stripe (67115), and ending with another 1/8 inch white stripe (67101). A large white enameled five-pointed star, trimmed in gold, is mounted in the center of the ribbon with one point facing upward, measuring 3/8 of an inch in diameter.[ 2]
Device
The recipient of a second or subsequent decoration will receive a white enameled five-pointed star, measuring 3/8 of an inch in diameter and trimmed in gold. These stars will be worn centered on the ribbon, with one point facing upward, alongside the star that was part of the original award. A maximum of four stars, including the star that comes with the original decoration, may be worn.[ 2]
Recipients
Date conferred
Service Member
Abbreviated Citation
Texas Military Unit
Command
Conflict
Ref
June 14, 2004
Sergeant Douglas Bennett
WIA
A Co. 1-124th Cavalry, 49th Armored Division
DOD
Operation Iraqi Freedom II
June 14, 2004
Corporal Jeff Montgomery
WIA
A Co. 1-124th Cavalry, 49th Armored Division
DOD
Operation Iraqi Freedom II
August 2005
Specialist Christopher Beck
WIA
C co 2BN 142Inf Reg. 56 Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division
DOD
Operation Iraqi Freedom III
September 2015
Specialist James Burkett
WIA
A Troop, 1-112 Cavalry Squadron, 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division
DOD
Sinai insurgency
[ 4]
September 2015
Private First Class Jose Romo
WIA
A Troop, 1-112 Cavalry Squadron, 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division
DOD
Sinai insurgency
[ 4]
September 2015
Staff Sergeant Guadalupe Chapa
WIA
A Troop, 1-112 Cavalry Squadron, 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division
DOD
Sinai insurgency
[ 4]
September 2015
Sergeant Michael Cantu
WIA
A Troop, 1-112 Cavalry Squadron, 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division
DOD
Sinai insurgency
[ 4]
March 2016
Civilian Michael Grant Cahill
KIA
2009 Fort Hood shooting
[ 5]
March 2016
Major Libardo Eduardo Caraveo
KIA
2009 Fort Hood shooting
[ 5]
March 2016
Staff Sergeant Justin Michael DeCrow
KIA
2009 Fort Hood shooting
[ 5]
March 2016
Captain John P. Gaffaney
KIA
2009 Fort Hood shooting
[ 5]
March 2016
Specialist Frederick Greene
KIA
2009 Fort Hood shooting
[ 5]
March 2016
Specialist Jason Dean Hunt
KIA
2009 Fort Hood shooting
[ 5]
March 2016
Staff Sergeant Amy Sue Krueger
KIA
2009 Fort Hood shooting
[ 5]
March 2016
Private First Class Aaron Thomas Nemelka
KIA
2009 Fort Hood shooting
[ 5]
March 2016
Private First Class Michael S. Pearson
KIA
2009 Fort Hood shooting
[ 5]
March 2016
Captain Russell Gilbert Seager
KIA
2009 Fort Hood shooting
[ 5]
March 2016
Private First Class Francheska Velez
KIA
2009 Fort Hood shooting
[ 5]
March 2016
Lieutenant Colonel Juanita L. Warman
KIA
2009 Fort Hood shooting
[ 5]
March 2016
Private First Class Kham See Xiong
KIA
2009 Fort Hood shooting
[ 5]
October 13, 2022
First Lieutenant Christopher Beck
WIA - mortar fire
Texas Army National Guard
DOD
Operation Iraqi Freedom II
[ 6]
See also
External links
References
^ "State Awards" . TMD .
^ a b c d e "Joint Force Texas Regulation (1-07)" (PDF) . Texas Military Department . August 1, 2009.
^ "Bill SB 955, Legislative Session 79(R)" . Texas Legislature Online .
^ a b c d Release, Press (September 24, 2015). "Governor Abbott Presents Texas Purple Heart To Four Soldiers" . Office of the Texas Governor .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Release, Press (March 11, 2016). "Governor Abbott Presents Texas Purple Hearts, Honors Victims Of Fort Hood Terror Attack" . Office of the Texas Governor .
^ Brown, David (October 13, 2022). "Making History: Lubbock-based Texas State Guard Soldier Awarded Texas Purple Heart" . TMD News . Retrieved May 7, 2023 .