THE US PURPLE HEART -
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to
those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S.
military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York. With its
forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, which took the form of a heart made of purple cloth,
the Purple Heart is the oldest award that is still given to members of the U.S. military, the
only earlier award being the obsolete Fidelity Medallion.
The original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established by George
Washington—then the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army—by order from his Newburgh, New
York headquarters on August 7, 1782. The actual order includes the phrase, "Let it be known that
he who wears the military order of the purple heart has given of his blood in the defense of his
homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen." The Badge of Military Merit was
only awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers and fell into disuse following the War of
Independence. Although never abolished, the award of the badge was not proposed again officially
until after World War I.
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