bobdina
09-07-2009, 01:35 PM
The Purple Heart medal, originally called the Badge of Military Merit, is the nation’s oldest military decoration, established by Gen. George Washington as a valor award for enlisted soldiers during the American Revolution.
While the design of today’s medal is a heart-shaped, gold and purple medallion bearing Washington’s profile, the 1782 design was a fabric heart made of purple satin, edged with white stitching and lace, and included the word “Merit.” Many military historians believe the purple and heart-shaped aspects of the old and new versions of the deco*ration refer to Purpleheart, a hard, dense, dark purple lumber that was sought by the Continental Army for gun carriages, mortar bases and other weapons because of its resiliency and strength — qualities emblematic of outstanding soldiers who had the heart and courage to carry on under the most difficult of conditions.
The Defense Department estimates 1.7 million service members and veterans have been awarded the Purple Heart.
While the design of today’s medal is a heart-shaped, gold and purple medallion bearing Washington’s profile, the 1782 design was a fabric heart made of purple satin, edged with white stitching and lace, and included the word “Merit.” Many military historians believe the purple and heart-shaped aspects of the old and new versions of the deco*ration refer to Purpleheart, a hard, dense, dark purple lumber that was sought by the Continental Army for gun carriages, mortar bases and other weapons because of its resiliency and strength — qualities emblematic of outstanding soldiers who had the heart and courage to carry on under the most difficult of conditions.
The Defense Department estimates 1.7 million service members and veterans have been awarded the Purple Heart.