(R-L) Commander Fred Rogers accepts a sign indicating that Peter J Courcy Post 178 is a MOPH Post from Department of Texas State Commander Gus Wittschack and Centex Commander Post 1876 Tracey L. Brown Greene. Photograph by Jeanie Beal.
American Legion Post 178 recently became only the third American Legion post in the State of Texas to be designated a Purple Heart Post. The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Department of Texas State Commander Gus Wittschack presented a proclamation and sign to Commander Fred Rogers during the designation ceremony. Commander Rogers was honored to accept the Purple Heart Post designation on behalf of its members who are Purple Heart Medal recipients.
Commander Rogers said, “It seems only fitting that our post, along with the City of Frisco who previously received the Purple Heart City designation, also honor our members who are Purple Heart Medal recipients.” Post 178 estimates that approximately 75 of its more than 600 members have been awarded the medal.
The MOPH is unique among all veteran service organizations in that its membership is comprised entirely of combat veterans who were wounded in action. The MOPH Department of Texas is comprised of 22 chapters, representing almost 4,000 Purple Heart Medal recipients within the State of Texas.
The Post 178 namesake, Peter J. Courcy, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009, was awarded the medal posthumously. The post has several members who are multiple recipients of the medal.