The United States Postal Service marked the 75th anniversary of the Purple Heart medal with the dedication of the new Purple Heart stamp at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007. It is the third time the stamp has been issued.

During the ceremony two wounded soldiers — Army Sergeant Robert Evans and Private First Class Marcus Labadie — were awarded Purple Hearts by General Colin Powell (Retired). 

The stamp may be purchased online at the Postal Store on www.usps.com/shop, by calling toll-free 800-STAMP-24, at philatelic centers nationwide and at local Post Offices.

The stamp features a photograph by Ira Wexler of a Purple Heart medal — awarded to Lieutenant Colonel James Loftus Fowler, U.S. Marines, in 1968. It was first issued on May 30, 2003, at Mount Vernon, VA. The second issuance was on May 26, 2006, at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.
 
General Powell was joined by Postmaster General John Potter and Major General Elder Granger of the United States Army as they honored the nation’s military service members at the Purple Heart ceremony.

The day also marked the 225th anniversary of the Badge of Military Merit, the predecessor to the Purple Heart medal, which was established and awarded by General George Washington on Aug. 7, 1782.
 
The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president of the United States to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action. It is one of the oldest military decorations in the world and the first award made available to a common soldier.

For more information on thePurple Heart definitive stamp, visit Stamp News Release #07-027. To obtain a 300 dpi downloadable photograph of the Purple Heart Stamp, visit:
www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007stamps/definitives/downloadcenter.htm.

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources on the Purple Heart stamp, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/news.

From left, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, Gen. Colin Powell and Postmaster General Jack Potter unveil the Purple Heart stamp.