How many Purple Hearts have been awarded to a single individual?

The most Purple Hearts awarded to a single individual is nine. Former Marine Sgt. Albert L. Ireland holds that distinction, being awarded five Purple Heart Medals in World War II and four more in the Korean War.

Irwin "Ray" Fraser, First Sergeant, received three Purple Hearts during the Korea War and six during his two tours in Vietnam.

It would appear that there are two that have been awarded 9.

Seven soldiers, including two Medal of Honor recipients, were awarded eight Purple Hearts:

Richard J. Buck: Four awards, Korean War / Four awards Vietnam War

Robert T. Frederick: Eight awards World War II

David H. Hackworth: Three awards, Korean War / Five awards in the Vietnam War

Joe Hooper: Eight awards, Vietnam War

Robert L. Howard: Eight awards, Vietnam War

William L. Russell: Eight awards, World War II

William Waugh: Eight awards, Vietnam War

More Info: www.usmilitariaforum.com

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63 Comments

Beau Shilkraut

Wow! I'm the first one to answer and the first one to get it wrong. I think the question should have been what is the greatest number of Purple Hearts awarded to one person. The way it's written, anyone receiving a Purple Heart is a correct answer. I received two and my name is then a correct answer.

David Ching

Curry/Tommy Haynes served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Company C of the 503rd Infantry where he received 10 Purple Hearts, the most of any American Soldier in American History.

Roland Martin Sr.

Curry T Haynes received 10 Purple Hearts. Army, Vietnam War

Suzanne Wilson

Wording should have been 'the most to a single individual'.

Karl Hoppe

This question is poorly worded.

Pat Salloum

Incredible bravery to be awarded the Purple Heart once, but 9 times!!

LibraryLady

Poorly worded question. I guessed what the author was asking (highest number for single individual). There are individuals who have won 6, 8, and 9 Purple Hearts, so all of those COULD be correct answers in response to the way the question was asked!

Denise Currie

Went with Majority Vote who said 6.

Michael Faulds

It would be nice to know what Purple Hearts are awarded for.

Richard Hoff

Beau Shilkraut, thank you for your service. Lest we forget

Char

I got the question fine but the answer off by one..

Cari G.

Good trivia!

Julie Allen

Taken from authors source. No mention of Irwin Fraser here or anywhere else I've looked, may be somewhere else, in which case my apologies. The most Purple Hearts awarded to a single individual is nine. Former Marine Sgt. Albert L. Ireland holds that distinction, being awarded five Purple Heart Medals in World War II and four more in the Korean War. Seven soldiers, including two Medal of Honor recipients, were awarded eight Purple Hearts: