National Purple Heart Day: What to know about America’s oldest military award
FILE - The Purple Heart that was found by a teenager inside the Brockton VFW Post in Brockton, Mass. on Dec. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
August 7 marks National Purple Heart Day, a day dedicated to honoring recipients of this prestigious award.
More than 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been presented to service members since the award was created in 1782, according to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor website.
The Purple Heart is America’s oldest medal and while the look and criteria for who is eligible to receive it has evolved through the years, it continues to be a symbol of honor, heroism and patriotism.
Who created the Purple Heart?
Gen. George Washington, the commander in chief of the Continental Army, created the Badge of Military Merit (which would later be renamed the Purple Heart award) on Aug. 7, 1782.
It had a decoration that consisted of a purple, heart-shaped piece of cloth or silk with a silver or lace edge around it, according to The American Revolution Institute.
The word "merit" was stitched across the face in silver and this would eventually evolve into the Purple Heart medal that we know and see today.
The badge was given to soldiers for "any singularly meritorious action" and gave the wearer privileges such as passing guards or sentinels without being challenged, according to History.com.
Who received the 1st Purple Heart?
The first soldiers to receive the Badge of Military Merit were William Brown and Elijah Churchill of the Continental Army.
It was believed that Brown was given the badge for his service during the Siege of Yorktown while Churchill was recognized for his bravery during the battle near Fort St. George on Long Island, New York, according to USO.com.
Purple Heart gets a makeover
After a makeover prompted by Gen. Douglas MacArthur in 1932, the Badge of Military Merit was officially renamed the Purple Heart and was redesigned to the heart badge with George Washington’s likeness on it that we see today.
Who can receive the Purple Heart?
Originally, the only people who could receive a Purple Heart were soldiers, and it was solely based on merit, but in 1942, Congress changed the rules and authorized it only for soldiers who were wounded and also made it available to all services, including some civilians, according to the Department of Defense’s website.
Civilians who worked in the military, such as Red Cross workers or war reporters, used to be eligible to receive the award until 1997.
"Currently, the Purple Heart, per regulation, is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or has died after being wounded by enemy action," according to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor website.
The qualifications for who can receive the medal continue to evolve.
Can someone receive more than one Purple Heart?
Yes.
Service members can receive multiple Purple Heart medals throughout their military career, according to USO.org.
This story was reported from Los Angeles.