The Purple Heart

The Purple Heart (PH) finds it roots in the American Revolution and was first established by General George Washington at his Headquarters in Newburgh, New York on 7 August 1782. It was simply a small cloth patch with a silk and lace background in the form of a purple heart. It was sewn onto a soldier's uniform above the left breast pocket. It was called the Badge of Military Merit. The original badge was given to soldiers of the American Revolution to signify their contributions to the battles which gave birth to our country. Most of the badges were given after the war was over and records show that only three men were awarded the decoration during the Revolutionary War itself. All three were noncommissioned officers. It is the oldest American military award and its first recipient was Sergeant Daniel Bissel of the 2d Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Line. Soon afterwards, the award fell into disuse. The original award is shown below.

In 1927, Chief of Staff of the Army, General Charles P. Summerall, sent a request to Congress that the Badge of Military Merit be revived, but a sponsored bill failed to pass. America was between world wars, and the isolationists probably had much to do with this fact. However, General Summerall directed the Office of the Adjutant General to retain all records of wartime deaths and wounds for possible future use.

In 1931, General Douglas MacArthur, Summerall's successor, started on a new design. He wanted the medal to coincide with the bicentennial celebration of President Washington's birth. It was to be known as the Purple Heart. It was reestablished by the President of the United States per War Department General Orders 3, 1932 and was to be awarded to members of the United States Army.

In 1942, President Roosevelt extended its use for members of the Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard for actions subsequent to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The exact number of PH's awarded in World War II is not exactly known. Over twelve million Americans were in the military at the peak of that conflict and it is estimated that somewhere between 800,000 to 1,000,000 PH's were awarded.

On 12 November 1952, President Truman authorized presentation of the medal for those killed or wounded back to 5 April 1917. In short, it would include those who served in World War I.

The medal was amended again by President Kennedy on 25 April 1962. It allows for the award of the PH to civilians who may be killed or wounded while serving side-by-side with the Armed Forces in the defense of our country. It is the only decoration for which an individual is not recommended. Wounds or death from military action alone warrant its presentation.

Today's PH is a heart-shaped medal of purple on a gold background. It is emblazoned with the bust of General Washington and is suspended by a purple and white ribbon.

All Americans should proudly defer to this decoration, for truly, it is awarded to a patriot who has spilled his blood for our country.

PERSONAL NOTE: The author would like to recognize a beloved family member at this point for having won the PH. He is Arthur F. Smith, an infantry first lieutenant and company commander, who had his elbow shattered by a Nazi mortar round in Italy. After the war, he returned to Trenton, New Jersey where he became a successful businessman, church leader, and community activist. He was respected and loved by all who knew him. He passed away in 2005, and like many of those who saved us from fascism, he has passed on to his final reward. He was buried with full military honors in a State Veterans' Cemetery in southern New Jersey. All Americans should thank the men and women who served in that conflict at every chance, especially those who earned the Purple Heart. -- Paul Ceria

This day in History

Dog days end

1896: Harvey Hubbel patented an electric lightbulb socket with a pull chain.

1921: Birthday of writer Alex Haley.

1949: Nanty Glo Teen Canteen reopens with over forty students attending.

1992: The mall of America, largest of its kind in the United States, opened in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Funny bones

A new soldier was on sentry duty at the main gate. His orders were clear: no car was to enter unless it had a special sticker on the windshield. Soon a large Army vehicle drove up with a general seated in the back. The sentry said, "Halt, who goes there?" The chauffeur, a corporal, answered, "General Wheeler."

"I'm sorry, I can't let you through. You've got to have a sticker on the windshield." The general said, "Drive on!"

"You really can't come through. I have orders to shoot if you try driving in without a sticker."

The general repeated, in a loud voice, "I'm telling you .son, drive on!"

The sentry walked up to the rear window and said, "General, I'm new at this. Do I shoot you or the driver?"