The Purple Heart medal is awarded to members of the US military who are wounded while in combat. Purple Hearts were first authorized by the US government in 1932, so any World War I combat veteran who received the award did not receive it until 15 years after their war service.

Harold B. Berlin of Red Wing received this Purple Heart in 1932. After his service in World War I, Berlin settled back in Red Wing with his parents and lived there until his death in 1956. He is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.