August 7, 1782
- Aug 7, 2023
- 1 min read
On this day in 1782 George Washington created the Purple Heart.
Recognizing a Hero's Merit
As the American Revolutionary War was nearing its end George Washington, who was commander in chief of the Continental Army, sought to create a badge recognizing soldiers. It was to be a "Badge for Military Merit" that was given to soliders for "any singularly meritorious action." The badge was a purple, heart-shaped piece that had the word Merit stitched across it. Anyone who bore it was allowed to pass guards and sentinels at will and their name and regiment was inscribed in a "Book of Merit."
Through the course of the Revolutionary War only three soldiers were awarded the new "Purple Heart." Elijah Churchill, William Brown, and Daniel Bissell Jr. were each given the new medal and their name inscribed in the book.
The Purple Heart Today
Overtime the "Book of Merit" was lost and the Purple Heart was mostly forgotten until 1927 when a General attempted, unsuccessfully, to revive the badge. It wasn't until 1932 that the U.S. War Department revived it on Washington's 200th birthday, this time calling it the "Order of the Purple Heart." The new badge now features a bust of George Washington among a heart of purple. While it is still a badge of military merit, it is now given to members of the armed forces who have been killed or wounded in action, as well as those who suffered as prisoners of war. Around 2 million Purple Hearts have been awarded since its establishment in 1932.
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