<P> However, in 1997, at the urging of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Congress passed legislation prohibiting future awards of the Purple Heart to civilians . Today, the Purple Heart is reserved for men and women in uniform . Civilian employees of the U.S. Department of Defense who are killed or wounded as a result of hostile action may receive the new Defense of Freedom Medal . This award was created shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 . </P> <P> Animals are generally not eligible for the Purple Heart; however, there have been rare instances when animals holding military rank were honored with the award . An example includes the horse Sergeant Reckless during the Korean War . </P> <P> The Purple Heart award is a heart - shaped medal within a gold border, 1 ⁄ inches (35 mm) wide, containing a profile of General George Washington . Above the heart appears a shield of the coat of arms of George Washington (a white shield with two red bars and three red stars in chief) between sprays of green leaves . The reverse consists of a raised bronze heart with the words FOR MILITARY MERIT below the coat of arms and leaves . </P> <P> The ribbon is 1 and ⁄ inches (35 mm) wide and consists of the following stripes: ⁄ inch (3 mm) white 67101; 1 ⁄ inches (29 mm) purple 67115; and ⁄ inch (3 mm) white 67101 . </P>

Who is pictured on the purple heart medal