From the NATIONAL ADJUTANT COMMENTARY J. MARC BURGESS I Merit and heart n August 1782, Gen. George manufactured in anticipation of the Washington—then the commander casualties in World War II. However, in chief of the Continental Army— after the atomic bombs were dropped at designated a badge to be presented Hiroshima and Nagasaki, nearly 500,000 to his soldiers for “singularly meritorious medals were left stockpiled. Those action.” medals lasted through Korea, Vietnam, The Badge of Military Merit was Iraq and Afghanistan, with more simple in design: a purple silk heart, remaining on hand for later need. edged in silver and emblazoned with It is always our sincere hope that the the word “Merit” in need will never come, silver across its face. but we know that is According to the This award was far from reality. In fact, Association of presented to just three three U.S. soldiers in soldiers throughout the the United States Afghanistan were duration of the killed and another Army, more than Revolutionary War and three wounded by a 1.5 million Purple vehicle-borne improvised was otherwise largely forgotten until being explosive device in April. Hearts were revived, redesigned Sgt. 1st Class Will manufactured and renamed close to Lindsay and Spc. Joseph in anticipation 150 years later. Collette were also killed In 1927, a bill was in combat operations of the casualties sent to Congress in the northern part of in World War II. seeking to bring the the country just Badge of Merit back weeks earlier. into use. In the years following, Gen. We know that the Purple Heart— Douglas MacArthur advocated for the the oldest military award given to U.S. medal to be reinstated in time for an service members—will have a place in imminent historic event. our military as long as we have sons and On Feb. 22, 1932, Washington’s 200th daughters engaged in global conflicts. birthday, a presidential executive order On Aug. 7, we take time on Purple Heart officially reinstated the award under a Day to recognize all those who have new name—the Purple Heart. The first been killed or wounded in military award, which is now given to those service, for their sacrifices to the nation. wounded or killed in action, was To all those in our DAV ranks who have presented to MacArthur himself. received the Purple Heart, we salute you. According to the Association of And together, we salute those who the United States Army, more than succumbed to their wounds and those 1.5 million Purple Hearts were who never returned home. DAV | @DAVHQ | DAVHQ | COMPANY/DAVHQ | DAVETERANS | DISABLEDVETERANS 3
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Merit and heart
J. Marc Burgess
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