This Day in History: George Washington Creates the Purple Heart (Sun., Aug. 7)

  • 2 years ago
This Day in History:
George Washington Creates
the Purple Heart.
August 7, 1782.
As commander in chief of the Continental Army,
Washington created the "Badge for Military Merit.".
Made from purple silk and designed
in the shape of a heart, the badge was
presented to three soldiers for their
service in the Revolutionary War.
The decoration was forgotten for
decades until 1927, when
General Charles P. Summerall
attempted to revive the badge.
On February 2, 1932,
the U.S. War Department instituted
the "Order of the Purple Heart.".
Adding to Washington's design,
the Purple Heart also contains a bust
of Washington and his coat of arms.
Today, the decoration is
bestowed upon soldiers
who have been killed
or wounded in action

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