St. Joe-Benton Harbor News

The number of living Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, or POW Medal recipients in Berrien County, Michigan for fiscal year 2017 was 53, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Purple Heart is given to U.S. military personnel wounded or killed while serving in the Armed Forces.

The Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for military service, is bestowed on members who distinguish themselves by bravery in combat.

The POW Medal is awarded to those taken prisoner and held captive while involved in action against an enemy of the United States.

County	Purple Heart or Medal of Honor or POW Recipients
Allegan	34
Alpena	10
Antrim	11
Arenac	10
Barry	25
Bay	36
Benzie	11
Berrien	53
Branch	18
Calhoun	62
Cass	15
Chippewa	15
Clare	17
Clinton	14
Crawford	15
Delta	17
Dickinson	15
Eaton	31
Emmet	19
Genesee	125
Gladwin	12
Grand Traverse	34
Gratiot	10
Hillsdale	13
Houghton	13
Ingham	66
Ionia	23
Iosco	12
Isabella	14
Jackson	44
Kalamazoo	66
Kalkaska	12
Kent	164
Lake	11
Lapeer	31
Lenawee	36
Livingston	52
Macomb	236
Manistee	11
Marquette	30
Mason	14
Midland	28
Missaukee	10
Monroe	49
Montcalm	19
Montmorency	12
Muskegon	58
Newaygo	15
Oakland	222
Oceana	10
Ogemaw	13
Osceola	10
Oscoda	10
Otsego	18
Ottawa	50
Roscommon	16
Saginaw	70
Saint Clair	53
Saint Joseph	26
Sanilac	20
Shiawassee	31
Tuscola	23
Van Buren	27
Washtenaw	63
Wayne	387
Wexford	18

*As of fiscal year 2017

**The VA did not include data for counties where the number of living medal recipients was less than 10

Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs