To make the eligibility standards for award of the Purple Heart consistent for all prisoners of war regardless of date of capture.

Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to award the Purple Heart to an individual serving with the armed forces or as a civilian in any capacity with the armed forces who was taken prisoner and held captive before April 25, 1962, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States was not a belligerent party, in accordance with award standards for individuals who were held captive on or after such date.