Three-Time Purple Heart Recipient James McCormick to be Honored During National Tribute Event

Scott Depot Army Veteran Chosen as West Virginia’s Representative for the 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project

(NEWBURGH, NY) – A local three-time Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Army Captain (CPT) James McCormick will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as West Virginia’s representative at the multi‑day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded. The Purple Heart Patriot Project is a program of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.

Selected from among hundreds of nominees and deserving candidates for their courage and service, both in combat and in their communities, this annual all-expenses paid ‘Honor Flight’-style salute will bring together Purple Heart recipients from across conflicts and generations. The multi-day Patriot Project Mission, scheduled for April 27 – May 1, 2026, will feature visits to historic sites, including the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; a private tour of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor; time at historic Washington’s Headquarters, where the Badge of Military Merit originated in 1782; and the 9/11 Memorial. Other special tribute events are also being planned.

“James and his fellow Patriot Project honorees represent the best of the best our country has to offer,” said Jeremy McVey, Chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “These honorees represent a true cross-section of America and the diversity of our combat wounded through the decades. They answered the nation’s call and then kept on serving. This is our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation, especially for our Vietnam veterans, the Patriot Project provides proper homecoming they never received.” 

“These Patriot Project missions recognize the sacrifices made by our Purple Heart recipients and honor those who never made it home. They provide an invaluable opportunity for these heroes to bond with other combat wounded to help with healing, understanding and of course, know that this nation will never forget their sacrifice,” said National Purple Heart Honor Mission Executive Director Colonel Russell O. Vernon (Ret). “We received hundreds of nominations from across the country, and we look forward to honoring James for his courage and service, both during combat operations and in the years since returning home.”

This year’s Patriot Project honorees include men and women from all branches of military service, who sacrificed for America and then went on to be leaders in their communities and professions. 

Asked what his service meant to him, CPT McCormick said, “It was the honor of my life. I come from a long line of service, three generations of Purple Heart recipients, and a Gold Star family. My service is part of that legacy.”

McCormick enlisted the Army in August 1985 and served for 24 years, rising to the rank of Captain. He served with the 24th Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division, deploying to the Middle East in support of Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He earned his Purple Heart after being wounded three separate times during combat operations in Iraq.

Along with his three Purple Hearts, CPT McCormick received the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars with Valor, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, and numerous additional commendations for bravery and service.

Married and the father of eight children, CPT McCormick now serves as the Executive Director of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). A past National Commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), McCormick remains deeply involved in supporting fellow veterans and was awarded the Citizen Service Medal from the Medal of Honor Society in 2012. He enjoys metal detecting and hosts a local television show, “Digging History,” on the West Virginia Library Channel with his German Shepherd, Bravo. He considers his greatest achievements to be his roles as husband, father, grandfather, and mentor to countless veterans. Earlier this year he published, “Battle-Tested Faith Strength in Struggles: Finding Hope and Restoration in Faith In God and Humanity,” a poignant memoir about the harrowing realities of war and the profound struggles of life.

The Purple Heart Patriot Project provides an all-expenses paid trip to Purple Heart recipients from across the country to visit the museum dedicated as a tribute to their service and other historic sites connected with the Purple Heart. Located just north of West Point, New York, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is housed near the site where General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. The Badge, a purple cloth cut in the shape of a heart, was the forerunner of today’s Purple Heart medal. These powerful visits provide a unique opportunity for our Purple Heart veterans to connect with other recipients and experience the appreciation of a grateful nation committed to ensuring their courage and sacrifice is remembered for generations to come. Project Missions are supported by individual, foundation, and corporate donations.

In addition to creation of the museum, the National Purple Heart Honor Mission was instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp, and the organization behind the U.S. Mint’s official Purple Heart Commemorative Coin series, which was issued by the United States Mint in 2022. Today, the organization is developing the National Purple Heart Traveling Tribute and Education Center, which will tour the country bringing the stories of our heroes’ service and sacrifice to communities across the nation.

Those wishing to learn more about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission or donate to sponsor the trip for our Purple Heart heroes should visit www.PurpleHeartMission.org.

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HONOR MISSION

The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose strategic objective is to pay tribute to our nation’s combat wounded and killed in action through special outreach and educational programming. Through Purple Heart Patriot Project Missions, celebration of National Purple Heart Day and other public events and programs, we engage people of all ages by telling the stories of our nation’s heroes. Learn more and support their efforts at www.PurpleHeartMission.org.