WARRIORS
HONOR CRUISE
About The Warrior Honor Cruise
About Us
The Warriors Honor Cruise is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring and supporting our nation’s Purple Heart recipients. We provide these brave veterans and caregiver with a well-deserved break from their daily challenges through a rejuvenating cruise experience, free of charge.
Our goal is to create a supportive and relaxing environment where veterans can connect and heal. Not only do Purple Heart recipeints enjoy quality time with their loved ones, they sail with other Purple Heart warriors. By offering this unique opportunity, we express our deepest gratitude for their service and sacrifice, ensuring they know they are not forgotten.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to support and encourage United States military Purple Heart recipients (PHR). Supporting mental health is the most important focus of our organization. Every Purple Heart veteran is at a different stage of recovery. Like many veterans, PHR face the challenges of PTSD, TBI, depression, horrific images of war, as well as physical and often debilitating injuries.
Since 2001, over 114,000 veterans have taken their own lives. More warriors have been lost to suicide then both wars on terror, combined. By providing this select group of veterans and their caregivers (those who assist with emotional, physical, and spiritual care) various practical resources, a sense of community and a time of respite, we move one step closer to mental health improvement and healing.
Warriors Honor Cruise's number one priority will be to continue the fight to help save the lives of
Purple Heart recipients.
Our History
The roots of Warrior’s Honor Cruise (WHC) go back to 2015, when John and Mary O’Connor
created the original Purple Heart Cruise. They founded the program in honor of their grandson,
Alex Judge, who was injured while conducting a combat patrol. Their vision was simple but
powerful: to give Purple Heart recipients and their caregivers a free 7-day cruise where they
could relax, reconnect, and find healing together.
As the mission grew, the organization’s name changed, but its heart never did.
Like much of the world, the organization was forced to pause in 2020 when COVID-19
shut down travel. In October 2021, PHC proudly returned to the seas.
In May 2022, the Purple Heart Cruise became Combat Wounded Cruise (CWC). The
cruises continued each year, offering community, support, and a much-needed break
to combat-wounded veterans and those who stand by their side and continued sailing
through 2024, carrying forward the same commitment to honor and healing.
A new chapter began in October 2024, when new leadership stepped in and rebranded
the organization as Warrior’s Honor Cruise. The new name reflects both the legacy of the
past and a renewed dedication to serving America’s combat-wounded heroes.
In 2025, WHC set sail on its first official cruise under its new name.
Impact Over the Years--
• Founded: 2015
• Original Name: Purple Heart Cruise
• Later Name: Combat Wounded Cruise (2022–2024)
• Current Name: Warrior’s Honor Cruise (since 2024)
• Total Cruises: 11
• Purple Heart Recipients Served: 125
• Cost to Recipients: $0 for a 7-day cruise
From the very first sailing to today, one thing has never changed:
Our mission is to honor combat-wounded veterans and give them a place
to breathe, to bond, and to remember they are not alone.
Meet The Board
