President Trump to honor 100 Purple Heart recipients at special White House ceremony
WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump is hosting nearly 100 past Purple Heart recipients at the White House in recognition of veterans wounded in military action ‒ including some who gifted their badges to Trump after he survived an assassination attempt last year.
The ceremony, set for 4 p.m. ET Aug. 7 in the White House East Room, coincides with National Purple Heart Day, which commemorates America's oldest military decoration, one that originated under President George Washington in 1782 to honor those killed or injured in combat.
Recipients in attendance will include three veterans ‒ Thomas Matteo, Gerald Enter Jr. and John Ford ‒ who sent their Purple Heart medals to Trump last year following the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, when Trump's right ear was grazed by a bullet from a would-be assassin.
Also attending will be Chris LaCivita, Trump's 2024 campaign manager and a veteran of the U.S. Marines Corps who received a Purple Heart in 1991 for his service in the Gulf War.
The event features a father-son combo, Kevin Willette and Brian Willette, who both received the Purple Heart for their service in Afghanistan.
In addition, military specialist Kevin Jensen, who pulled fellow Purple Heart recipient Capt. Sam Brown from a Humvee in Afghanistan that was hit by an explosive device, will be honored. Brown last week was confirmed by the Senate as Trump's under secretary for memorial affairs in the Department of Veteran Affairs.
"President Trump cares deeply about honoring our brave men and women in uniform, and today, he will recognize those who have earned this distinction and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom," Taylor Rogers, an assistant White House press secretary, said in a statement to USA TODAY. "There is no one more deserving of our gratitude than these great American heroes."
Other Purple Heart attendees will include:
More than 1.8 million Americans have received the Purple Heart, which was revived in 1932 by Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration marking the 200th anniversary of Washington's birthday.
Those who receive the award are given a heart-shaped decoration with a purple background and gold embroidery that features Washington's profile.
Trump administration officials set to attend the ceremony include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan 'Razin' Caine.
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
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