By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
August 7 is officially Purple Heart Day, and it is to honor the nearly 1.8 million service members that have received it. We are still full on in the year-long celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary, and it was 244 years ago on August 7, 1782 (not long before the British surrendered), that Continental Army General George Washington crafted one of the most honored awards in the military, now known as the Purple Heart. The award is reserved for those that have been wounded or killed in battle or severely mistreated in captivity, and it is one of the oldest awards in our military.
Originally, it did not carry the profile of Washington on it, but had the word “merit” stitched on the ribbon, and it was the cloth itself that was both purple as well as heart-shaped. The Badge of Merit uniquely reflected the nascent American nation’s desire to uphold the concept that “all men are created equal,” in that it was one of the first medals that could be received by lower-ranking service members. Previously, medals were reserved for officers that had been responsible for bringing about decisive or grand victories, but the Badge of Merit/Purple Heart could be awarded to anyone who deserved it. At that time, it was not necessary to have been wounded to receive it, only brave and honorable.
Over time, the Purple Heart faded from our national memory, as did many important facts about the Revolutionary War, and it was Douglas McArthur that worked to revive it in time for George Washington’s 200th birthday. It was at this time that the medal began to bear the image of George Washington, and McArthur was only interested in having service members who were either U.S. Army or Army Air Corps be eligible to receive it. Ten years later, FDR opened up the qualifications for bestowing it to deserving service members of all the branches. It was at this time that the qualification became having been wounded or killed in battle, and could be awarded posthumously and given to family members of the fallen.
Only one U.S. president has been the recipient of a Purple Heart, and that was John F. Kennedy. There have been two animals that have gotten Purple Hearts, both of the rank of sergeant. One was Sgt. Stubby the dog, and Sgt. Reckless the horse.
Several actors received the medal, including James Arness, Rod Serling, James Garner, and Charles Bronson. Writers Oliver Stone and Kurt Vonnegut are Purple Heart recipients as well, and John Kerry claims that he did not discard his Purple Heart at an anti-war demonstration in 1971.
Women have received the Purple Heart, the first being Lt. Annie Cox in 1942. She was an Army nurse when the Japanese attacked at Pearl Harbor, and Cordelia (Betty) Cook was the first woman to receive both a Purple Heat and a Bronze Star. In the interest of honoring the melting pot of various people who make up this great nation, there have been Purple Hearts awarded to service members of every color and creed. Some were born in slavery, one was Japanese and served the United States during WWII, and it is my honor to pay tribute to the nearly two million people who have been harmed that we may be free. Think about that the next time you see a Purple Heart designation on the license plate of a car, and if you can, thank the occupant.
By:Ali Elizabeth Turner
