The Purple Heart is one of our nation's oldest military decorations. It was first introduced by General George Washington in 1782 as the "Badge of Military Merit" to recognize soldiers for their bravery and service.

In 1932, General Douglas MacArthur revived the medal as a way to celebrate the bicentennial of Washington’s birth. The Purple Heart was designed after the Badge of Military Merit and awarded to Army personnel for meritorious service.

In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9277 allowing the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to award the medal.

After World War II, the Purple Heart was exclusively awarded to service men and women who were wounded or killed in action.

To date, more than 1.8 million service members have received the Purple Heart. On National Purple Heart Day, 07 AUG, we want to take a moment to honor 2 Eagles who are among them.

Here are their stories.

John Reyes, Colorado State Coordinator

SFC John Reyes served in the U.S. Army for 22 years, deploying seven times to Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. On 9 NOV 04, during the Battle of Fallujah, his unit was hit by a three-mortar blast while responding to an ambush. Shrapnel tore through his leg, neck, and arm. Disoriented and unaware of his injuries at first, he focused on patching up his teammates until he realized he was bleeding too. “When the adrenaline wore off, the pain kicked in. I ended up putting a tourniquet on my leg instinctively.”

That day became a turning point. “You think it won’t happen to you. But trauma is trauma—and it doesn’t just come from combat.” Healing brought him to Team RWB, where he found connection with others who carried both visible and invisible wounds. “It was a wake-up call. Life can be gone in an instant.”

Now, John honors that second chance by supporting others like fellow Purple Heart recipient Vance Hewuse, a Vietnam Veteran and the sole survivor of his squad. “Vance still runs, carrying a POW flag and the names of the friends he lost. He inspires me to keep moving forward.”

Vance Hewuse, Eagle Leader

In the foothills of Pikes Peak lives Vance Hewuse. He’s a Vietnam Veteran, former gold panning champion, Senior Olympian, Purple Heart recipient, and a man with a story of grit and healing.

Drafted in 1966, Vance served with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th U.S. Cavalry in the dense jungles of Vietnam. In just over a year, he participated in 57 combat operations. On 22 NOV 67, his platoon was ambushed by over 300 NVA soldiers. Hewuse was wounded and lost 10 comrades, including his mentor, Staff Sergeant Roberts. Despite his injuries, Vance helped save fellow soldiers and assumed leadership under fire. “That was my second birthday,” he recalls.

Coming home brought a different battle. Like many Vietnam Veterans, Vance faced a hostile public and buried his trauma for decades. In 2008, after a PTSD-triggering incident, he finally sought help and entered therapy. "When you accept what happened, you can begin to heal," he says.

Now in his late 70s, Vance still runs daily, mentors younger Veterans, and carries the POW flag in remembrance of his fallen brothers. His message is clear: “Don’t let your Vietnam experience beat you up. Get help. We did make a difference.”

Vance’s son and hero Marine Sgt. Andrew Hewuse, a super quiet RWB Eagle, rode an IED in Iraq 2004 receiving multiple wounds and the Purple Heart.

At Team RWB, we celebrate how they continue to lead, inspire, and lift others today and every day.