The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the
name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, on or
after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the
Badge of Military Merit, which took the form of a heart made of purple
cloth, the Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given to
U.S. military members â€" the only earlier award being the obsolete
Fidelity Medallion. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located
in New Windsor, New York.The original Purple Heart, designated as the
Badge of Military Merit, was established by George Washington â€" then
the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army â€" by order from his
Newburgh, New York headquarters on August 7, 1782. The Badge of
Military Merit was only awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers by
Washington himself. Washington authorized his subordinate officers to
issue Badges of Merit as appropriate. Although never abolished, the
award of the badge was not proposed again officially until after World
War I.On October 10, 1927, Army Chief of Staff General Charles Pelot
Summerall directed that a draft bill be sent to Congress "to revive
the Badge of Military Merit". The bill was withdrawn and action on the
case ceased January 3, 1928, but the office of the Adjutant General
was instructed to file all materials collected for possible future
use. A number of private interests sought to have the medal
re-instituted in the Army; this included the board of directors of the
Fort Ticonderoga Museum in Ticonderoga, New York. Purple Heart Biography, NetWorth, Height, Age, Weight, Family, Married, Son, Daughter