Grant Purple Heart Veterans (70%+ Disabled) Expanded Federal Benefits Similar to Medal of Honor Recipients

Purple Heart recipients were wounded by enemy action and many live with lifelong disabilities. We are calling on Congress to expand key federal benefits for Purple Heart recipients rated 70%+ service-connected, recognizing sacrifice and protecting military families.

We, the undersigned veterans, families, and supporters of America’s wounded warriors, call on Congress to pass legislation expanding targeted federal benefits for Purple Heart recipients who are rated 70% or higher service-connected disabled.

The Purple Heart is a unique award because it confirms a service member was wounded in combat due to enemy action. Many recipients live with lifelong physical limitations, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, chronic pain, and reduced earning potential. The sacrifice does not end when the war ends.

We respectfully propose federal action to establish the Purple Heart Equity & Sacrifice Recognition Act, granting qualifying Purple Heart recipients (70%+ service-connected) the following targeted benefits:

Purple Heart Pension — a monthly pension separate from VA disability compensation, set at 50% of the Medal of Honor pension rate

Space-Available (Space-A) military air travel eligibility

Expanded Arlington National Cemetery eligibility for qualifying Purple Heart recipients

Service Academy admissions preference eligibility for children of qualifying Purple Heart recipients

Expanded uniform privilege for ceremonial and official events

We also request that qualifying Purple Heart recipients who are approved under this legislation receive retroactive benefits.

Retroactive payments should be calculated based on the veteran’s VA disability effective date at which they became 70% or higher service-connected, as documented by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

This ensures fairness for veterans who have already lived with severe combat-related disability for years or decades and have endured long-term financial hardship, medical limitations, and reduced earning capacity since the onset of their service-connected injuries.

This initiative does not diminish the Medal of Honor, which remains the nation’s highest award for valor. This effort recognizes that the Purple Heart represents verified blood sacrifice—and severe combat wounds create lifelong hardship that deserves lasting federal recognition and support.

We urge Congress to act now to honor America’s wounded warriors with the benefits, dignity, and long-term stability they have earned.