Chartered by Act of Congress For Combat Wounded Veterans

Chartered by Congress in 1958, The Military Order of the Purple Heart is composed of military men and women who received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat. Although our membership is restricted to the combat wounded, we support all veterans and their families with a myriad of nation-wide programs by Chapters and National Service Officers.

Featured Members


Current CT State Commander  Daniel M. Eddinger from Torrington CT, Major (Ret) Daniel M. Eddinger was elected as the Department Commander of Connecticut for the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Dan joined the Army in 1965 served with The Old Guard at FT. Meyer VA before leaving for Viet Nam in 1967. Dan received two wounds in country during the 68 Tet Offensive. He continued his service to his country and retired in 1992 after 26 years in the US Army and Nebraska National Guard. Contact email is: [email protected]

 


Current Command for Chapter 103 Larry French

1969-1978
United States Marine Corp. – Enlisted – Infantry  … Assignments included duties from combat in Vietnam followed by a security tour in Iceland and later service with the Department of State at embassies located in Athens, Cairo & Beirut.

1978-1980
ROTC – Cadet - University of Connecticut

1980-1991
United States Army (RA) – Officer - Paratrooper - Nuclear & Chemical Corps; various assignments included nuclear weapons plotter & live chemical agent trainer, Commander Decontamination Company, NATO monitoring of Chernobyl and an instructor with Special Forces, Fort Bragg.

2010 – Present
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 24-3.Contact email is: [email protected]

Jason Coppola Jason Coppola from Watertown, CT - Served in Afghanistan
The brilliant smile masks some of the horrors his eyes have seen. Jason Coppola, Army, Afghanistan, witnessed the effects of RPG's, IED's, bombs and bullets and perhaps knew the deep fear of death and dying but carried on serving the country we love. Another True American War Hero. Jason is now serving as the Chapter 1 Adjutant 2015-.

Butch Mathieu Butch Mathieu from Wolcott, CT - Served in Vietnam
Combat creates different types of heroes. This one, a Navy Corpsman, focused on saving the lives of our Marines. He braved the hailstorm of bombs and bullets while attending the wounded. He stemmed their bleeding and eased their pain. The picture is of a selfless American War Hero. Butch is currently the Commander for Chapter 1 2015-

Francis Hushner


Francis (Frank) Cushner
Ansonia, Connecticut

WWI Marine wounded and gassed in France.

Founder of the Military Order of the Purple Heart

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