Purple Heart Day Celebrates Patriotism

It all began with General George Washington, the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, on August 7, 1782. He created the “Badge for Military Merit” for patriotism.

The badge initially consisted of a heart-shaped silk piece with a narrow silver edge. Across the face, the word Merit was stitched in silver.

Soldiers of the Revolutionary War were awarded this decoration, honoring them for “singularly meritorious action.” Only three soldiers were known to have been awarded this during the Revolutionary War.

Military Merit Badge to Purple Heart Award

This honor was created with the intention of being a permanent award. It was pretty much forgotten until the 1900s. General John J. “Blackjack” Pershing requested an award for merit in 1918. It took until 1932 for the Purple Heart Award to be created in celebration of the bicentennial of Washington’s birth and his ideals.

The President of the United States issued the order. The order declared that the Purple Heart award established in 1782 by Washington “is hereby revived out of respect to his memory and military achievements.”

So the tradition began in Temple Hill, New Windsor, NY, which was the final encampment of the Continental Army during the winter of 1782-1783. Veterans who have earned the Purple Heart Award were honored.

Over the years, the criteria for being awarded the Purple Heart have changed. Initially, it was awarded directly to Army and Army Air Corps members and could not be awarded posthumously to next of kin.

With Pearl Harbor Came Posthumous Recognition

It wasn’t until 1942 that President Franklin Roosevelt signed the executive order allowing the Navy to award the Purple Heart to its personnel, including Sailors, Marines, and members of the Coast Guard.

This order additionally allowed the Purple Heart to be made available posthumously for any military member who was killed on or after December 7, 1941.

The creation of the Military Order of the Purple Heart in 1942 established the Purple Heart as an award for meritorious service. Being wounded was only one consideration for demonstrating patriotism.

According to the regulation, the Purple Heart is now awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who “while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917 has been wounded, killed, or has died after being wounded.”

I don’t know about you, but a medal doesn’t seem enough to pay the ultimate sacrifice for our Freedom and Liberty.

Take a moment and visit our Wall of Heroes and pay your respects to some of the patriotic heroes we’ve been honored to help keep their sacrifice and memory alive…