Donald Trump may have driven an even larger wedge between military veterans and his presidential campaign on Tuesday with an offhand comment in the midst of an otherwise touching moment with a military veteran.

While telling the story of a lieutenant colonel who presented him with his Purple Heart medal as a vote of confidence, Trump quipped: 'I always wanted to get the purple heart. This was much easier.'

The Purple Heart is awarded to servicemen and women who are wounded in combat, and to surviving family members of those who are killed in action. Wanting one is akin to a death wish – or close to it.

Lt. Col. Louis Dorfman came on stage and posed with Trump for photos before telling him that he didn't want to speak to the crowd.

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Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for president, posed on stage with a Purple Heart medal given to him by Lieutenant Colonel Louis Dorfman, right, during a campaign appearance in Ashburn, Virginia on Tuesday

The Purple Heart is given to U.S. servicemen and women who are wounded in battle, and awarded posthumously to those killed in action

So I said, "Lieutenant colonel, would you like to say something?"' Trump told his audience in an Ashburn, Virginia high school auditorium.

'He goes, "No sir. I'd like you to just keep saying what you're saying." Amazing. it's amazing. what an honor.'

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Dorfman laughed at Trump's joke.

But Trump has been bickering with the father of a Muslim man who was killed in combat in 2004, and Tuesday's unforced error will add fuel to that fire.

Khizr Khan, a Pakistani immigrant, blasted Trump at the Democratic National Convention – and then in a series of TV interviews – drawing return fire from the real estate tycoon.

An NBC reporter tweeted that she spoke to Dorfman before Tuesday's rally – and he said at the time that he was giving Trump a replica medal, not the real thing

Trump has made improving veterans affairs a major plank in his campaign platform, but Tuesday's gaffe could drive a new wedge between him and former military members

Trump said Tuesday that Dorfman told him he was handing over his real Purple Heart medal, but an NBC reporter tweeted that the veteran had said before the rally that it was a copy.

The Republican presidential nominee reiterated later in his speech that he would reform the Department of Veterans Affairs if he wins the White House.

'I talk about our veterans, because our veterans are being treated horribly,' he said. 'When you hear "22 suicides a day," that's inconceivable. Twenty-two suicides a day!'

' Our veterans are being treated horribly. We're going to turn that around so fast your head is going to spin.'