The Purple Heart is an American
decoration-the oldest military decoration in the world in
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 famed and best-loved heroes-General George Washington.
General Washington is often pictured as a cold, stern soldier,
a proud aristocrat. Yet we know he showed sympathy and concern
for his troops, and was not too proud to pray humbly on his
knees for his beloved country and for the men who served it,
and him, so bravely and loyally. His keen appreciation of
the importance of the common soldier in any campaign impelled
him to recognize outstanding valor and merit by granting a
commission or an advance in rank to deserving individuals.
In the summer of 1782 he was ordered by the Continental Congress
to cease doing so-there were no funds to pay the soldiers,
much less the officers!
Deprived of his usual means of reward, he must have searched
for a substitute. Shortly after receiving the "stop" order
from Congress, he wrote his memorable General Orders of August
7, 1782, which read in part as follows:
"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 name and regiment of the persons so certified
are to be enrolled in a Book of Merit which shall be kept
in the orderly room." The order further states: "Men who have
merited this distinction to be suffered to pass all guards
and sentinels which officers are permitted to do. The order
to be retroactive to the earliest stages of the war, and to
be a permanent one." Washington ended his order with: "The
road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus
open to all."
Lost or misfiled for almost 150 years among the War Department
Records at Washington, D.C., this important paper came
to light during the search for Washington's papers prior to
the celebration of his bicentennial in 1932. With it were
the dramatic accounts of three soldiers who received the decoration
at Newburgh, N.Y., at Washington's Headquarters. The Book
of Merit has not been found. The U.S. War Department revived
the Purple Heart decoration on February 22, 1932. Miss Elizabeth
Will, an Army heraldic specialist in the Office of the Quartermaster
General, was named to redesign the newly revived medal, which
became known as the Purple Heart. Using general specifications
provided to her, Ms. Will created the design sketch for the
present medal of the Purple Heart. The Commission of Fine
Arts solicited plaster models from three leading sculptors
for the medal, selecting that of John R. Sinnock of the Philadelphia
Mint in May 1931. The revived form is of metal, instead of
perishable cloth, made in the shape of a rich purple heart
bordered with gold, with a bust of Washington in the center
and the Washington coat-of-arms at the top. The latter is
believed to have been the source of the stars and stripes
of the American Flag.
The PURPLE HEART is awarded to members of the armed forces
of the U.S. who are wounded by
an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously
to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in
action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically
a combat decoration.
An organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple
Heart," was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest
of all who have received the decoration. Composed exclusively
of Purple Heart recipients, it is the only veterans service
organization comprised strictly of "combat" veterans.
Funds for welfare, rehabilitation and/or service work carried
on by the organization are derived through the collection
of used household items, the operation of Thrift Stores, through
the donation of automobiles and, at the community level, from
the annual distribution of its official flower, the Purple
Heart Viola. Violas are assembled by disabled and needy veterans,
many of whom receive little or no compensation from other
sources. Thus your contribution to programs of the Military
Order of the Purple Heart serve a two-fold purpose-they help
the veterans who participate in these endeavors and enable
the organization to do many things on behalf of hospitalized
and needy veterans and their families.
Wives, mothers, daughters, step-daughters and adopted daughters
of Purple Heart recipients are eligible to belong to the Ladies'
Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, which
also does important work nationally and locally in Veterans'
Hospitals.
initially
created as the Badge of Military Merit by one of the world's
most famed and best-loved heroes-General George Washington.
General Washington is often pictured as a cold, stern soldier,
a proud aristocrat. Yet we know he showed sympathy and concern
for his troops, and was not too proud to pray humbly on his
knees for his beloved country and for the men who served it,
and him, so bravely and loyally. His keen appreciation of
the importance of the common soldier in any campaign impelled
him to recognize outstanding valor and merit by granting a
commission or an advance in rank to deserving individuals.
In the summer of 1782 he was ordered by the Continental Congress
to cease doing so-there were no funds to pay the soldiers,
much less the officers! 
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 name and regiment of the persons so certified
are to be enrolled in a Book of Merit which shall be kept
in the orderly room." The order further states: "Men who have
merited this distinction to be suffered to pass all guards
and sentinels which officers are permitted to do. The order
to be retroactive to the earliest stages of the war, and to
be a permanent one." Washington ended his order with: "The
road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus
open to all." 
came
to light during the search for Washington's papers prior to
the celebration of his bicentennial in 1932. With it were
the dramatic accounts of three soldiers who received the decoration
at Newburgh, N.Y., at Washington's Headquarters. The Book
of Merit has not been found. The U.S. War Department revived
the Purple Heart decoration on February 22, 1932. Miss Elizabeth
Will, an Army heraldic specialist in the Office of the Quartermaster
General, was named to redesign the newly revived medal, which
became known as the Purple Heart. Using general specifications
provided to her, Ms. Will created the design sketch for the
present medal of the Purple Heart. The Commission of Fine
Arts solicited plaster models from three leading sculptors
for the medal, selecting that of John R. Sinnock of the Philadelphia
Mint in May 1931. The revived form is of metal, instead of
perishable cloth, made in the shape of a rich purple heart
bordered with gold, with a bust of Washington in the center
and the Washington coat-of-arms at the top. The latter is
believed to have been the source of the stars and stripes
of the American Flag. 
by
an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously
to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in
action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically
a combat decoration. 