Purple Heart Day: "Available to All, Desired by None"

August 7 is Purple Heart Day. A day dedicated to honoring service members who have received the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is awarded to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice giving their lives on the front lines as well as military service personnel who suffered an injury in combat. The Purple Heart has its origins in the Revolutionary War. As of June 5, 2010, approximately 1,910,162 medals have been awarded. Today, we will look briefly into the history of the Purple Heart, the Hall of Honor dedicated to those who have received the award and notable recipients. 

Considered to be the military’s oldest medal, it was first known as the Fidelity Medallion. Created by the Continental Congress in 1780 and was awarded to three soldiers for their service during the Revolutionary War (DeSimone, 2020). In 1782, President George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit. It was to be given to soldiers who displayed “not only instances of unusual gallantry in battle, but also extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way” (DeSimone, 2020). It was made of purple silk in the shape of a heart, the word “Merit” embroidered on it. This medal would later evolve into the Purple Heart as we know it today. In 1932, Army General Douglas MacArthur wanted a new look and name for the medal in honor of Washington’s bicentennial birthday. The design still uses the purple ribbon with the added medal medallion with Washington’s likeness. The Purple Heart was originally a combat decoration for the Army and the Army Air Corps for those wounded or killed in action. In 1942, President Roosevelt and the War Department expanded the qualifications to include all military branches. 

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is a museum of military history with a focus on the human sacrifice and the cost of freedom. Located in New Windsor, New York, the museum offers several galleries and interactive stations in which visitors can learn about the history of the Purple Heart and the recipients through their training, deployment, and battlefield experiences. The Purple Heart Roll of Honor is a computer database which features each Purple Heart recipient. The data collection is an ongoing process as more and more names are continuously being collected. The museum offers an enrollment form on their website for any name which needs to be added to the database as well as further information about names already in the database. The database is also searchable online as well as at the museum. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor exemplifies the saying “Available To All, Desired By None.” 

There have been a number of notable recipients of the Purple Heart. The first recipient of the medal in its modern form was General MacArthur for wounds sustained during World War I. Other famous recipients include actors Charles Bronson, Rod Sterling, James Garner and football star, Pat Tillman. John F. Kennedy is the only president to have been awarded with a Purple Heart. The first woman to be awarded the Purple Heart was Lt. Annie G, Fox. She was the chief nurse at Hickam Field. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, she remained calm and directed the hospital staff to tend to the wounded as they came in from the harbor. However, when the qualifications were changed, she was awarded the Bronze Star in lieu of the Purple Heart. Service members can receive multiple medals throughout their military career. One such recipient is Curry T. Haynes. He served as an infantryman in the 173rd Airborne Brigade Company C of the 503rd Infantry during the Vietnam War. He has received a record 10 Purple Hearts for wounds sustained, one for each wound, in two different battles (Ford, 2015). 

The Purple Heart is an award that no one strives to receive but when it is given, it is well deserved. With its origins in the Revolutionary War, there are many stories of valor worthy to be told and learned. I highly recommend checking out the website for the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor (I’ve listed the website below) and learn more about the medal and the recipients who have received it. And the database is constantly being updated with new stories of valor, bravery and sacrifice. On this national day for the Purple Heart Day, take a moment to think about the countless men and women who have received this award. 

Resources

National Purple Heart Hall of Honor https://www.thepurpleheart.com/  

References

DeSimone, Danielle (August 3, 2020). 8 Things You Need to Know About the Purple Heart Medal. USO.org. https://www.uso.org/stories/2276-8-purple-heart-facts. Retrieved August 5, 2021. 

Ford, Waynes (October 17, 2015). Vietnam veteran with 10 Purple Heart Awards recalls a violent battle. Athens-Banner Herald. https://www.onlineathens.com/article/20151017/NEWS/310179950. Retrieved August 5, 2021.