The Purple Heart is awarded to soldiers who were wounded in battle, or to family members of someone who was killed in combat.
Bob Cowles received his Purple Heart for his time in Vietnam.
Even in the chaos, Cowles was able to help others who were injured, but he was unaware he was even hurt.
"The medic came back and he was bandaging him up and got done and he says now let me take care of you. I said why? He said you're bleeding, I reached up got this blood just dripping down my head," says Cowles
On August 7, 1782, George Washington established the Badge of Merit.
Its shape and color inspired the modern Purple Heart.
