Theodore M. Sullivan's Purple Heart Medal

This Purple Heart medal was awarded to Theodore M. Sullivan, who sustained eleven wounds while fighting in World War I as part of the 372nd Infantry Regiment, Company L, Sixth Infantry of Massachusetts. Sullivan was honorably discharged at the end of the war, and found employment in Washington, DC.

The Purple Heart is awarded to those wounded or killed while serving in the United States military. It bears the profile of President George Washington in gold on a purple background, and was first issued in this form in 1932, with criteria that autorized its award to soldiers who had been wounded in action or recognized for meritorious performance of duty after 5 April 1917, the day before the United States entered World War I.