Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States. The medal was first created by General George Washington in 1782, and it was originally called the Badge of Military Merit.

The Purple Heart is a heart-shaped medal within a gold border 35 mm wide. In the center of the medal is a profile of George Washington with the words "For Military Merit" above and below the image. Above the heart appears a shield of the coat of arms of George Washington (a white shield with two red bars and three red stars in chief) between sprays of green leaves. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed in action, or who have died as a result of their wounds.

The awarding of the Purple Heart is a solemn and important recognition of the sacrifices made by members of the U.S. Armed Forces in service to their country. The medal is often awarded posthumously to the families of service members who have been killed in action.

On 7 January 1931, Summerall's successor, General Douglas MacArthur, confidentially reopened work on a new design, involving the Washington Commission of Fine Arts. Elizabeth Will, an Army heraldic specialist in the Office of the Quartermaster General, was named to redesign the newly revived medal, which became known as the Purple Heart. Using general specifications provided to her, Will created the design sketch for the present medal of the Purple Heart. The new design, which exhibits a bust and profile of George Washington, was issued on the bicentennial of Washington's birth.