How Many Purple Hearts Have Been Awarded In Iraq And Afghanistan?
Till November 18th of 2018, for the war in Afghanistan 12,534, Purple Hearts have been awarded and for the war in Iraq 35,411, Purple Hearts have been awarded to the soldiers of the United States of America.
Here, among the recipients, some soldiers sacrificed their lives, some were badly wounded, and some somehow survived from the mouth of death (but they showed their courage against the enemy).
Those brave men and women are greatly honored and dignified with the Purple Heart award in the name of the United States President.
A Few Notable Recipients of Purple Hearts For Their Heroic Work In The Iraq And Afghanistan War
1. Bryan Anderson
Bryan is one of the greatest soldiers of the United States. He served in Iraq war as a veteran from 2001 to 2005. During those years he served two tours in the Iraq war.
During the combats, he lost two of his legs and left hand.
Because of his bravery and severe injuries, Bryan was awarded Purple Heart.
Currently, he is working as a stuntman in Hollywood movies. Also, he wrote a book, named No Turning Back.
2. Salvatore Augustine Giunta
Salvatore Augustine Giunta is a former United States Army soldier who served in the Afghanistan war from 2003 to 2011.
Salvatore is mainly known for saving the lives of his squad members during the combats in Afghanistan. However, he left the army in 2011.
Along with Purple Heart, he is also awarded the Medal of Honor and Bronze Star Medal by the United States authority.
3. Megan Leavey
Megan Leavey was a former United States Marine Corps who served in Iraq war from 2003 to 2007.
Megan served as a Military Police K9 handler.
For the service, in 2004, she was paired with a military working German Shepherd dog, named Rex.
Megan was awarded the Purple Heart award in 2009. Along with this, she also received many awards; such as the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, etc.
Based on her and the dog’s story, a movie was also made in Hollywood. The movie was ‘REX’.
