President Donald Trump will welcome close to 100 past Purple Heart recipients to a White House ceremony on Thursday, honoring the veterans wounded in military action.
The ceremony will feature three veterans who gave their Purple Hearts to Trump following the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, USA Today reported. The ceremony is set for 4 p.m. ET in the White House East Room on August to commemorate National Purple Heart Day.
Gerald Enter Jr., John Ford, and Thomas Matteo sent their medals to Trump last year.
Ford presented Trump with his medal at a rally in October 2024.
“Sir, I brought you a Purple Heart I want to present you for your injuries and for what a great job you’ve done for our country,” Ford said in a video posted to social media.
Recipients in attendance include Kevin Willete and Brian Willete, a father and son who received the medal for service in Afghanistan; and Chris LaCivita, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who received a Purple Heart for service in the Gulf War and who was Trump’s 2024 campaign manager.
The Purple Heart is America’s “oldest military award and one of the most prestigious,” according to a social media post from the U.S. Marines.
“On Purple Heart Day, we pause to honor and remember the bravery and sacrifice of our wounded and fallen heroes,” the post said.
Today we honor the brave
The Purple Heart is the oldest military award and one of the most prestigious the U.S. bestows upon its service members.
On Purple Heart Day, we pause to honor and remember the bravery and sacrifice of our wounded and fallen heroes.
Semper Fidelis pic.twitter.com/rxUFvfm1fq
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) August 7, 2025
Attendees also include Eli Cuevas, a former squad-designated marksman injured during his second mission in Iraq; Captain Andrew D. Ashford, a retired Green Beret who enlisted after 9/11 and was wounded in Afghanistan; and Major James Capers Jr., who won three Purple Hearts, the Silver Star, and two Bronze Stars in the Vietnam War.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan “Razin” Caine will attend the ceremony, USA Today reported.
George Washington established the Purple Heart in 1782, but it was largely forgotten until its revival in 1932, on Washington’s 200th birthday. More than 1.8 million Americans have received the award, according to USA Today.