George Washington's Purple Heart

The award of the Purple Heart, or Badge of Military Merit, was originally created by George Washington to reward troops for "unusual gallantry" and "extraordinary fidelity and essential service."

It was established by order from Newburgh, the New York headquarters of the President, on August 7, 1782.

The award itself was a purple cloth heart edged in silver braid, and was to be worn over the left breast of the uniform. Only three of the original awards are known to have been issued, all of them to Revolutionary War soldiers. Two of the medals are known to exist today. 

Although never abolished, the award of the badge was not proposed again officially until after World War I, when, by Executive Order of the President of the United States, the Purple Heart was revived in 1932 on the 200th Anniversary of George Washington's birth, out of respect to his memory and military achievements.

There's a great show called'The Purple Heart Comes To Free Meadows on RUSC that I'd really recommend listening to. It was written by Halsted Welles, and is the story of a young Sergeant returning to his New England village of Free Meadows from North Africa. After being wounded in action, he has been awarded the Purple Heart, so the villagers, who are bursting with pride, decide to hold a dinner in his honor that evening. However, the young Sergeant isn't so keen to discuss his harrowing experiences overseas...

Interestingly, at the end of the show, there is a short interview with a serving US Corporal, and wearer of the Purple Heart award, and Silver Star for gallantry. 

Happy listening my friends,