August 7, 1782: As commander of the Continental Army, George Washington creates the Purple Heart medal (which he originally named the Badge of Military Merit). It was created to be presented to soldiers who displayed any singularly meritorious action. The wearer was allowed to pass through areas unchallenged that were protected by sentinels and other guards. Washington awarded the medal to only three soldiers during the Revolutionary War - Elijah Churchill, William Brown and Daniel Bissell, Jr. The custom was then practically abandoned until 1927 when U.S. Army Chief of Staff Charles P. Summerall begain a campaign to revive the Badge of Military Merit. He was not successful, but later General Douglas MacArthur again took up the issue and on Washingtons 200th birthday (February 22, 1932), the United States War Department announced the creation of the Order of the Purple Heart. The medal retains Washingtons original design with the addition of his bust and coat of arms. The medal is now given to soldiers who display meritorious action while being killed or wounded in battle of if suffering abuse at the hands of the enemy as prisoners of war.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 05:16:29 +0000