Was the Purple Heart ever awarded with a V device?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 16:02:39 -0400

I'm putting together a rack for a friend who located some ribbons in an old shadowbox. The service member is definitely a Marine and Vietnam veteran. Among the box is what appears to me to be a Purple Heart with a V device. Eggplant with white on each side and clearly not a LOM. I haven't been able to find any evidence that the criteria for a V device was different in the past and it's my understanding that the Purple Heart does not fit within the eligibility for a V device.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 17 at 2022 4:07 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 16:07:23 -0400

I’m not aware of any instances of a V being worn on a Purple Heart. I’ve never seen it before

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2022 4:51 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 16:51:45 -0400

Per AR 600-8-22, the Letter "V" device is not authorized for the PH.

Response by CW2 Ron Jackson made Jul 17 at 2022 4:52 PM

CW2 Ron Jackson — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 16:52:27 -0400

Maybe an air medal? If it is old the fading blue turns purple. This medal is awarded with a V device for gallantry in action against an armed enemy.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Jul 17 at 2022 8:35 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:35:43 -0400

Never heard of a "V" on a purple heart. Can you take a picture to post of this ribbon?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2022 2:54 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 02:54:00 -0400

Never have seen a V device on a Purple Heart!

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jul 18 at 2022 1:54 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 13:54:25 -0400

No, the Purple Heart has never been meant to be issued with a V device (as far back as WWII). It gets oak leaves for subsequent awards.
I say meant to be, because some awards from WWII turn up with odd accoutrements as issued in the field.
For instance; I have a bronze star that belonged to a family friend that has a V and an arrowhead on the ribbon. Old guy was authorized all three but the arrowhead is supposed to be on his service ribbon and the V was correct on the bronze star. There's a picture of him receiving it in the field in WWII. Someone put the set together wrong when it was issued.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jul 18 at 2022 7:48 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 19:48:52 -0400