National Purple Heart
Hall of Honor

Featured Recipients

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  • Beatrice Mary MacDonald
  • World War I ~ Army

  Chief Nurse MacDonald and her unit were assigned to work at a British Clearing Hospital, which was located four miles behind the lines, in Belgium. The German aircraft bombed her hospital, wounding her with shell fragments. She lost her right eye due to her injuries, but remained in the army and served throughout the War. She is the first known woman to be awarded the Purple Heart.

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  • Douglas Albert Munro
  • World War II ~ Coast Guard

  Signalman First Class Munro was killed in action during an attempt to evacuate a battalion of Marines that were trapped by the Japanese in Point Cruz, Guadalcanal. Munro volunteered as Officer in Charge of a group of twenty-four Higgins boats that would complete the evacuation. Munro used his own boat as a shield between his own troops and the Japanese gunfire to allow the other crafts to land ashore and carry out the rescue. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his gallantry and sacrifice.

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  • Archie Joe Biggers
  • Vietnam ~ Marines

  2^nd Lieutenant Biggers was wounded when his platoon came under intense fire. Despite his wound, he led an assault against the enemy position, forcing them to abandon that position. He again led his men forward to assault another position and was wounded a second time. He continued to attack and destroyed this additional position. He refused medical attention until all of his men had been treated and evacuated.