PURPLE HEART HISTORY

The Purple Heart is an American decoration – the oldest military decoration in the world in its present use and the first American award made available to the common soldier.  It was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by one of the world’s most famous and best-loved heroes – General George Washington.  The Purple Heart was awarded to three soldiers – Sergeants Elija Churchill, William Brown, and Daniel Bissell, Jr.  On May 3, 1783, Churchill and Brown received the Purple Heart, then called the Badge of Military Merit, from General George Washington, its designer and creator.  Bissell received his decoration on June 10, 1783.  These three soldiers are the only known recipients of the award during the Revolutionary War.

On August 7, 1782 at his Newburgh, New York headquarters, Washington devised two badges of distinction to be worn by enlisted men and non-commissioned officers.  The first was a chevron to be worn on the left sleeve of the coat.  It signified loyal military service.  Three years of service with “bravery, fidelity and good conduct” were the criteria for earning this badge; two chevrons meant six years of service.  The second, named the Badge of Military Merit, was the “figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow face or binding.”

The badge was for “any singularly meritorious action” and permitted the wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge.  The honoree’s name and regiment were inscribed in a Book of Merit.  What Washington wrote in his orderly book on August 7, 1782 still stands today.

“The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all.  This order is  also to have retrospect to the earliest stages of the war, and to be considered a permanent one.”

After the award was re-instituted, a group of combat wounded veterans in Ansonia, Connecticut, formed the first chapter of the civilian organization whose membership was composed of recipients of the decoration.  Their action gave birth to a fraternal body which, until then, had been just a record on paper.  The living organization grew rapidly during and after World War II and is now a nationwide body.  It became known as the “Military Order of the Purple Heart of the United States of America, Inc.” (M.O.P.H.)".  The organization was chartered by Congress by H.R. 13558, which became Public Law 85-761, on August 26, 1958.

 THE PURPLE HEART

A.   HISTORICAL INFO.

    The September 2010 edition of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) published an article that examined the Purple Heart from a historical perspective.  The reader might compare that article to the research performed by Chapter 0049.  Both articles reached the same conclusion and each provides some data that the other does not have.

Click here to access the VFW article.

B.   ADDITIONAL INFO.

       On January 17, 2011, the Dept. of Defense (DoD) submitted its reported on policy and procedures for awarding the Purple Heart (PH) to Service members who sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to enemy action to meet the request of the House Armed Services Committee report language that accompanied the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (H. Rpt. 111-166).

Click here to read the Report.

C.    ARMY UPDATES ITS RULE FOR AWARD OF P.H.

     Acknowledging that commanders have sometimes wrongly denied the Purple Heart to soldiers who suffered battlefield concussions, the Army plans to issue new guidance to clarify when such recognition is warranted.  See story by clicking here:

Story updated: 17 March 2011

Click here to view map.

"PURPLE HEART STATISTICS"

     Have you ever been at a patriotic function or ceremony and a curious citizen walked up to you and started to inquire about the Purple Heart?  Most people have some idea about what it represents but they also have more personal questions.  For example, where did you get yours and what war did you fight in?   

     But, then comes the penultimate question that seems to hang in most people minds.  "How many Purple Hearts" have been awarded since its inception? " Well, I have had the question asked of me and quite frankly I didn't know the answer.  But, fortunately, it was at the Postal Stamp unveiling and all the national authorities were available to answer the inquiry.

      Apparently, the Department of Pennsylvania had the same question asked of it or they were wiser and sent an email to Patriot John Bircher at MOPH Headquarters in Virginia.  Their question is very timely as we approach Memorial Day and Armed Forces celebration week.  The answer is broken down by wars or conflicts and includes those actions that are least known, for example: "Lebanon Peacekeeping"; "Urgent Fury" (Grenada); and "Just Cause" (Panama).

     Now you have all the information with a release date of May 20, 2011.  Hats off to the Department of Pennsylvania and MOPH HQ. for the timely submission and response.

Click here to review the data.

Story updated: May 22, 2011:23:00