Although the official Purple Heart Day is August 7, it is essential that we honor and memorialize the sacrifices of our brave men and women in the US Military every single day. Here are eight interesting facts about the history of the Purple Heart medal.
The Purple Heart medal is only awarded to US military servicemen and women after they have been killed or wounded during service to our country. The award was created in 1782, and according to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, over 1.8 million brave men and women have been awarded the Purple Heart medal since that time.
In honor of the brave men and women who have received the Purple Heart, here are eight things everyone should know about the history of thePurple Heart medal.
1. The Purple Heart Medal is the Oldest Award That is Currently Presented to Members of the US Military.
The Fidelity Medallion was created by the Continental Congress in 1780, preceding the creation of the Purple Heart medal by two years. However, it was only awarded to three service members that year.
George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit in 1782, just two years later. Since the Fidelity Medallion was never bestowed on another soldier, it is considered commemorative, and the Badge of Military Merit is thought of as the first US Military decoration and the direct predecessor of the Purple Heart medal.
It is said that President Washington designed the Badge in the shape of a purple heart made of cloth. The Badge was awarded to servicemen who showed unusual bravery in battle, as well as extraordinary loyalty in service to our country.
The Badge of Military Merit eventually became the Purple Heart medal that is still awarded to US military members today.
2. The Purple Heart Medal Was One of the First Awards Given to Soldiers of Lower Rank.
Before the Purple Heart medal was created, most military awards were only granted to ranking officers for their victories on the battlefield. The Purple Heart medal was one of the first military awards in history that was presented to soldiers of lower rank and noncommissioned officers for their loyalty and outstanding service.
3. The Purple Heart Medal Got its Current Design and Name in 1932.
In 1932, US Army General Douglas MacArthur gave the Purple Heart medal its current, modern-day design and name. It was transformed into a combat decoration for brave soldiers who demonstrated commendable service in battle, as well as for those who were killed or wounded in combat.
General MacArthur worked side by side with the Washington Commission of Fine Arts and Miss Elizabeth Will ( an Army heraldic) to transform the award for the bicentennial of President Washington’s birthday.
In 1944, the qualifications for being awarded the Purple Heart medal were changed to what they are now: an award to honor and recognize those who are wounded or lost in action.
4. Army General Douglas MacArthur Was the First Serviceman to Receive the Modern-Day Purple Heart.
US Army Soldiers Elijah Churchill and William Brown were the first servicemen to receive the Badge of Military Merit during the Revolutionary War.
Churchill received the Badge for his bravery during a battle near Fort Saint George on Long Island. Brown was awarded his Badge for his gallantry during the Battle of Yorktown.
The first modern-day Purple Heart medal was awarded to Army General Douglas MacArthur after World War II for his sacrifice in the Pacific Theater.
5. The First Women to Receive the Purple Heart Medal.
Army Lieutenant Annie G. Fox was the first woman to be honored with the Purple Heart Medal in 1942. In 1941, Fox showed incredible courage when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. She was serving Hickman Field, Hawaii as the chief nurse and took charge during the attack on her hospital. She directed the care of wounded servicemen as they were brought in from the harbor.
Cordelia “Betty” Cook was honored with both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Cook was serving as a combat nurse during WWII in 1943. She was wounded by shrapnel as she was attending to her duties at a field hospital local on the Italian battlefront. Even though she was injured, Cook continued to tend to her patients and was honored with both awards for her incredible bravery and heroism.
6. John F. Kennedy Was is the Only President to Receive the Medal.
The only US president who has ever been awarded the Purple Heart medal is John F. Kennedy. President Kennedy injured his back during his service in the Navy when a Japanese destroyer crashed into his torpedo patrol boat somewhere near the Solomon Islands.
As his boat was sinking, Kennedy worked through his injuries to pull a severely injured shipmate to safety. President Kennedy swam for three miles with the injured man’s life jacket strap clenched between his teeth.
They finally reached an island, and Kennedy pulled the man safely to shore. In addition to the Purple Heart, he was also bestowed with the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his outstanding service.
7. Other Famous Recipients of the Purple Heart Medal.
At GeorgeLochli.com, we honor and recognize every Purple Heart recipient, and we’re sure you do as well. However, it’s still interesting to note the legendary and famous honorees who have received the Purple Heart medal.
- Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller
- James Arness
- Charles Bronson
- James Garner
- Rod Serling
- Oliver Stone
- Kurt Vonnegut
- John Kerry
- Colin Powell
- Tammy Duckworth
- John McCain
8. Curry T. Haynes is the Only Service Member to Receive the Medal 10 Times.
The record holder for the most Purple Hearts bestowed to a single serviceman is Curry T. Haynes. Haynes served in the US Army during the Vietnam War.
He received his first medal after he was shot in the arm during an ambush in the Vietnamese jungle. He underwent surgery for his injured arm and returned to the battlefront where his brave actions would earn him nine more medals. During a single assault, where he managed to dodge several grenades, Haynes lost two fingers and received several other injuries. He was awarded a medal for each wound. Sadly, he lost his battle with cancer in 2017.
