Thirty-five Purple Heart recipients will make Fort Leonard Wood history by becoming charter members of the “Heart of Missouri,” Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 140, the first chapter the area has ever had.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart exists “for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the award.”
When prior Military Police John West and Master Sgt. Willie Bowman decided it was time to start a chapter in the Fort Leonard Wood area, they enlisted the help of Department of Missouri Chief of Staff Jim Young, and Department of Missouri Commander Carl Dietrich.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart National Headquarters informed them that they would need 12 Purple Heart recipients to form a chapter.
So far 35 recipients have stepped forward, including Staff Sgt. Jamie Pearce and Mrs. Candace Pearce (prior military), the first husband and wife pair to be awarded the Purple Heart.
Per United States Army Regulations, the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died after being wounded.
For more information call Bowman at (573) 563-7198 or e-mail willie.bowman@us.army.mil.
Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. —
