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https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/washington-creates-the-purple-heart?cmpid=email-hist-tdih-2021-0 [login to see] 1&om_rid=
On August 7, 1782, in Newburgh, New York, General George Washington, the commander in chief of the Continental Army, creates the “Badge for Military Merit,” a decoration consisting of a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk, edged with a narrow binding of silver, with the word Merit stitched across the face in silver
The badge was to be presented to soldiers for “any singularly meritorious action” and permitted its wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge. The honoree’s name and regiment were also to be inscribed in a “Book of Merit.”
Washington’s “Purple Heart" was awarded to only three known soldiers during the Revolutionary War: Elijah Churchill, William Brown and Daniel Bissell, Jr. The “Book of Merit” was lost, and the decoration was largely forgotten until 1927, when General Charles P. Summerall, the U.S. Army chief of staff, sent an unsuccessful draft bill to Congress to “revive the Badge of Military Merit."
In 1931, Summerall’s successor, General Douglas MacArthur, took up the cause, hoping to reinstate the medal in time for the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth. On February 22, 1932, Washington’s 200th birthday, the U.S. War Department announced the creation of the “Order of the Purple Heart.”
In addition to aspects of Washington’s original design, the new Purple Heart also displays a bust of Washington and his coat of arms. The Order of the Purple Heart, the oldest American military decoration for military merit, is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who have been killed or wounded in action against an enemy. It is also awarded to soldiers who have suffered maltreatment as prisoners of war.
On August 7, 1782, in Newburgh, New York, General George Washington, the commander in chief of the Continental Army, creates the “Badge for Military Merit,” a decoration consisting of a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk, edged with a narrow binding of silver, with the word Merit stitched across the face in silver
The badge was to be presented to soldiers for “any singularly meritorious action” and permitted its wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge. The honoree’s name and regiment were also to be inscribed in a “Book of Merit.”
Washington’s “Purple Heart" was awarded to only three known soldiers during the Revolutionary War: Elijah Churchill, William Brown and Daniel Bissell, Jr. The “Book of Merit” was lost, and the decoration was largely forgotten until 1927, when General Charles P. Summerall, the U.S. Army chief of staff, sent an unsuccessful draft bill to Congress to “revive the Badge of Military Merit."
In 1931, Summerall’s successor, General Douglas MacArthur, took up the cause, hoping to reinstate the medal in time for the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth. On February 22, 1932, Washington’s 200th birthday, the U.S. War Department announced the creation of the “Order of the Purple Heart.”
In addition to aspects of Washington’s original design, the new Purple Heart also displays a bust of Washington and his coat of arms. The Order of the Purple Heart, the oldest American military decoration for military merit, is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who have been killed or wounded in action against an enemy. It is also awarded to soldiers who have suffered maltreatment as prisoners of war.
George Washington creates the Purple Heart
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George Washington
Purple Heart
Awards
American History
Military History
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The Purple Heart by Bill Bennett and John Cribb
On August 7, 1782, George Washington created the Purple Heart, America’s oldest military decoration. Washington called the award the Badge of Military Merit. His order of that day read in part:
The General, ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers as well as foster and encourage every species of military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with due reward. The badge permitted the wearer to pass sentinels without challenge. Only three soldiers – Elijah Churchill, William Brown, and Daniel Bissell Jr. – are known to have received the award during the Revolutionary War.
After the Revolution the badge fell out of use. In 1932 the military revived the decoration to help celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of George Washington’s birth. The Order of the Purple Heart is now awarded to members of the armed services who have been wounded or killed in action. The modern medal has a bronze heart bearing Washington’s silhouette in its purple center and the Washington coat-of-arms at the top.
Why did George Washington choose purple? No one is sure, but for ages purple had been the color of royalty. In Washington’s eyes the common soldier who sacrificed for his country deserved as much respect as a king. As he wrote in his order creating the decoration, “The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all.”
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen F. Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen CPT Jack Durish Sgt (Join to see) 1SG Steven Imerman SGT (Join to see) LTC David Brown MSgt David Hoffman SPC Randy Zimmerman SCPO Morris Ramsey SPC Douglas Bolton SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SPC Mark Huddleston PO1 Steve Ditto SPC Michael Oles SR PVT Mark Zehner MSgt (Join to see) Sgt (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
On August 7, 1782, George Washington created the Purple Heart, America’s oldest military decoration. Washington called the award the Badge of Military Merit. His order of that day read in part:
The General, ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers as well as foster and encourage every species of military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with due reward. The badge permitted the wearer to pass sentinels without challenge. Only three soldiers – Elijah Churchill, William Brown, and Daniel Bissell Jr. – are known to have received the award during the Revolutionary War.
After the Revolution the badge fell out of use. In 1932 the military revived the decoration to help celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of George Washington’s birth. The Order of the Purple Heart is now awarded to members of the armed services who have been wounded or killed in action. The modern medal has a bronze heart bearing Washington’s silhouette in its purple center and the Washington coat-of-arms at the top.
Why did George Washington choose purple? No one is sure, but for ages purple had been the color of royalty. In Washington’s eyes the common soldier who sacrificed for his country deserved as much respect as a king. As he wrote in his order creating the decoration, “The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all.”
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen F. Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen CPT Jack Durish Sgt (Join to see) 1SG Steven Imerman SGT (Join to see) LTC David Brown MSgt David Hoffman SPC Randy Zimmerman SCPO Morris Ramsey SPC Douglas Bolton SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SPC Mark Huddleston PO1 Steve Ditto SPC Michael Oles SR PVT Mark Zehner MSgt (Join to see) Sgt (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
Excellent piece of history, thank you for the share Lt Col Charlie Brown
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I honor those have received the PHM. I declined the award when it was offered because my “wound” was self-inflected; I tried to scalp myself while diving into a bunker during an NVA rocket attack; I bled profusely but a medic was able to stitch it up and slap a Band-Ade on it. If there was an award for clumsiness, I would have qualified.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
Yeah, I would have one of those with at least a silver oak leaf cluster...maybe two 1LT Voyle Smith !
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
How about a guy jumping into a bunker during a rocket attack and getting bit by a rat that was in there ? Well He didn't get a purple heart but We did kill the rat and He didn't have rabies so that was good.
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