The Purple Heart: Symbol of Sacrifice. Since its origin during the Revolutionary War, the Purple Heart has served as a recognition of sacrifice and heroism by those in the U.S. military. Find out how much you know about the Purple Heart.

Eligibility for a Purple Heart applies to service members who suffered a wound: 1) As the direct or indirect result of enemy action, and 2) The wound required treatment by a medical officer at the time of the injury.

As there is no comprehensive list of Purple Heart recipients in existence, the Roll of Honor is an effort to develop as comprehensive a list as possible. Enrollments are voluntary, and come from recipients, their families or friends.

Lt. Fox was the first known woman to receive a Purple Heart during World War II. For many years it was believed that she was the first female recipient. However (as you now know), Beatrice Mary MacDonald, an Army Nurse during World War I was wounded on 17 Aug.