The Purple Heart
7 AUGUST 1782
THE PURPLE HEART
The oldest decoration ever awarded to a United States serviceman was the Fidelity Medallion. This award was created by the Continental Congress specifically to recognize the actions of three New York Volunteer militiamen of the Revolution: PVTs John Paulding; David Williams; and Isaac Van Wart–for the capture of British MAJ John André on 23 September 1780. André was carrying the plans for the fort at West Point, plans that had been turned over to the British by the traitorous Benedict Arnold. It was the first instance in modern times in which the actions of common soldiers were recognized. The Medallion was never again bestowed and is today considered a commemorative award.
However, by 1782 GEN George Washington desired that another form of recognition be available to distinguish the meritorious conduct of soldiers. On this day his General Order created two Honorary Badges of Distinction and the Badge of Military Merit, a purple, heart-shaped, cloth medal bearing the word, “Merit” (purple is traditionally the color of honor and royalty). It was to be awarded for instances of unusual gallantry in battle, extraordinary fidelity, or essential service in any capacity. Bearers were to be passed at checkpoints and guardposts. Three known awards were made: SGTs William Brown; Elijah Churchill; and Daniel Bissell–for actions occurring in the Spring of 1783. The medal then fell out of use. More than a century passed…
Then the bloody First World War revived efforts surrounding Washington’s medal. These culminated on 22 February 1932, the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birthday, with President Herbert Hoover’s Executive Order re-authorizing the medal for those wounded or killed in enemy action after 5 April 1917 (the day before the US entered WWI). A modernized design bore the profile of GEN Washington on a heart-shaped field of purple. The reverse refreshed the thought of the original medal with the words, “For Military Merit.”
Since 1932, awarding criteria have evolved. Initially it was presented for wounds received in enemy action and for meritorious performance of duty. But with the creation of the Legion of Merit on 20 July 1942, the Purple Heart was reserved for battlefield wounds requiring the attention of a medical officer. The precedence of the medal was elevated in 1985 from just above the Good Conduct Medal to immediately above the Meritorious Service Medal. Civilians serving in military functions were eligible until 1998 when lobbying by the Military Order of the Purple Heart eliminated civilian awards. It is estimated that a total of 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded to American servicemen and women.
Watch for more “Today in Naval History” 11 AUG 22
CAPT James Bloom, Ret.
Alvarez, Lizette, and Erik Eckholm. “Purple Heart is Ruled Out for Traumatic Stress.” New York Times, 7 January 2009, AT: https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/us/08purple.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=purple%20heart%20post-traumatic%20stress&st=cse, retrieved 1 July 2018.
Borch, Fred L. “The Purple Heart–The Story of America’s Oldest Military Decoration and Some Soldier Recipients.” 30 April 2016. AT: https://armyhistory.org/the-purple-heart-the-story-of-americas-oldest-military-decoration-and-some-soldier-recipients/, retrieved 1 July 2018.
Department of Defense. Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD-Wide Performance and Valor Awards; Foreign Awards; Military Awards to Foreign Personnel and U.S. Public Health Service Officers; and Miscellaneous Information. DoD Manual 1348.33, Vol 3. AT: http://www.esd.whs.mil/dd/, retrieved 1 July 2018.
“Purple Heart Day: Honoring Our Soldiers.” EarQ website. AT: https://www.earq.com/blog/purple-heart-day, retrieved 1 July 2018.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: Currently the Purple Heart can be awarded for injury cause by bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action; enemy mine or trap; enemy released chemical, biological, or nuclear agent; injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accidents resulting from enemy fire; concussion from enemy explosions; and “friendly fire” injuries when that fire was directed toward the enemy. Excluded are environmental injuries (frostbite, trench foot); non-combat, accidental, training, and self-inflicted injuries; injuries sustained retrieving war souvenirs; injuries received in unauthorized areas; and PTSD.
Technically servicemen from the War of 1812, Indian wars, Mexican, Civil, and Spanish-American Wars are not eligible. Although since Washington’s Badge of Military Merit was never officially canceled, allowances for retroactive Purple Heart awards for service prior to WWI have been made. Unique among medals, recommendations are unnecessary; eligibility is automatic for above injuries. The Navy Department individual most frequently awarded is USMC SSGT Albert L. Ireland with five awards in WWII and four from Korea. SSGT Ireland’s final wound in Korea required medical separation. Three US Army soldiers have received 10 awards each. Other notable recipients include actors Lee Marvin, James Garner, James Arness, Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas; politicians John F. Kennedy, Colin Powell, James Webb and John McCain, Jr.; and four Navy Nurses from Vietnam.
Since 2014, August 7th marks the annual recognition of National Purple Heart Day.
