Today we honor those that served on Purple Heart Day.
Every August 7th we commemorate the oldest American military decoration for military merit, the Purple Heart, which honors soldiers who are of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. At the American Revolutionary War, the Badge for Military Merit decorated six known soldiers, when it was created by General George Washington in 1782 for "any singularly meritorious action."
The medal was designed to include a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk bound with a thin edge of silver, and across the face, the word Merit embroidered in silver. The badge symbolizes courage and devotion, as General Douglas MacArthur and the U.S. War Department created the Order of the Purple Heart, which today bears a bust of George Washington and his coat of arms.
Nearly 1.9 million service members have earned Purple Hearts since its creation, as it is the oldest U.S. military honor.