Editing Hal Moore (section)

=== Purple Heart ===
While included in the list of awards, Moore never wore the Purple Heart and tried to return the award to the Army while in Vietnam and more formally in 1968. In his January 11, 1968, letter to the Army Adjutant General, he provided this rationale, "I have great respect for the Purple Heart Medal and would be proud to wear it if I consider it were fully earned by me in the future. In the case of this particular award, it was presented on the basis of a superficial "punji-stake" injury in Vietnam in October 1965. I do not feel that I earned the award for that slight injury and hence have never worn it, do not intend to, and request my records be set straight."<ref>Letter dtd January 11, 1968 from Harold G. Moore to AGPB-AC, HQ, DA, TAGO</ref>

On January 16, 1968, the Adjutant General provided a formal response declining the request. The letter summarized, "General Orders pertaining to this award cannot be revoked. This award is part of your official records. It will be available to you in the future if you desire it."<ref>Letter dtd January 16, 1968 from AGPB-AC, HQ, DA, TAGO in official records of Harold G. Moore Jr</ref>