Purple Heart Awarded to a Soldier of the 80th Infantry Division, Battle of Kassel 1945

Named Purple Heart awarded to a U.S. Army Private First Class serving with the 80th Infantry Division, wounded in action in Germany on April 2, 1945, during the fighting for the capture of Kassel.

The award is documented by the General Orders issued by the Headquarters of the 80th Infantry Division on April 4, 1945. The soldier is listed among the division personnel wounded in action on April 2, 1945.

The decoration bears a named inscription in small, mechanically stamped lettering, typical of separation centers. This type of engraving is frequently encountered on Purple Hearts issued to combat-wounded servicemen and issued in the field.

The Purple Heart is made of gilt bronze, in the shape of a purple-enamelled heart with a gilt border, bearing a profile of George Washington at the center. The top is decorated with the Washington family coat of arms, consisting of stars and stripes. The reverse bears the inscription “FOR MILITARY MERIT.”

The medal retains its slot brooch suspension system, characteristic of World War II manufacture.

It is preserved in its original World War II-era simulated leather presentation case. The interior features a cream-colored fabric lining, with a satin lining inside the lid and a velvet-like fabric in the lower section designed to hold the decoration securely in place.

Please note: a slight clicking sound can be heard when opening and closing the case. The case nevertheless functions normally, and this minor detail has no effect whatsoever on its use.

For the sake of discretion, the identifying information appearing on our Purple Hearts is intentionally blurred in the photographs displayed online. This precaution also follows the automatic removal of several of our Purple Heart listings by eBay. We have therefore chosen to conceal this information in our online publications. The unblurred photographs and identifying information are, of course, available upon request via private message.