[rmh47]

In early 1945 the United States government contracted for and in mid-year took possession of 490,000 Purple Heart medals in anticipation of the invasion of Japan. As you probably know, the medal is awarded to any serviceman (or woman) who is wounded in action, and that obviously includes those who receive fatal injuries. Half a million Purple Hearts and absolutely no one thought that was all that would be needed. It was considered to be the only the first installment.

So many were made that no more were needed to be made until the first Gulf War, and even then the only reason they had to make more (they bought another 9,000) was because the government had lost track of where they were stored and couldn't find them.

There was a point in between when the government had them cleaned and re-ribboned because of their age.

[daniel1212]

There was a point in between when the government had them cleaned and re-ribboned because of their age.

In time they might be issued to liberal who felt persecuted by fellow soldiers.