Oklahoma will be designated as a Purple Heart State beginning November 1st. Navy veteran and Senator Frank Simpson from Springer, Oklahoma said he authored Senate Bill 232 to give Oklahoma’s Purple Heart recipients the recognition they deserve.

Sen. Simpson said there is no greater sacrifice and no greater recognition for those brave men and women who sacrificed so much. He said becoming a Purple Heart State shows the world the immense pride and gratitude our citizens have for the 1,340 Oklahoma recipients of this hallowed award.

It is estimated that around two million Purple Hearts have been awarded by the U.S. Military since World War I. The Purple Heart is given to U.S. military members in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving since April 5th, 1917.

The Purple Heart is different from most military awards and decorations as individuals are not “recommended” for the decoration but rather are entitled to it.