(From left to right) Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Marino, Sgt. Mark Plummer, Cpl. Ricky Giden, and Lance Cpl. Oscar Gracia, sit proudly after receiving their Purple Heart medals at Camp Pendleton’s Wounded Warrior Battalion West barracks, Aug. 20. Since April 5, 1917, the Purple Heart has been an honorary award received by military members who have been injured or killed in battle. - (From left to right) Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Marino, Sgt. Mark Plummer, Cpl. Ricky Giden, and Lance Cpl. Oscar Gracia, sit proudly after receiving their Purple Heart medals at Camp Pendleton’s Wounded Warrior Battalion West barracks, Aug. 20. Since April 5, 1917, the Purple Heart has been an honorary award received by military members who have been injured or killed in battle.