In 1782, the Continental Congress ordered him to stop. There were no funds in the cash-strapped colonies to pay ordinary soldiers, much less new commissioned officers. Washington devised a simple substitute. On August 7, 1782, he issued an order, allowing soldiers who exhibited “virtuous ambition” and “military merit” to wear a heart, fashioned of purple cloth, on their uniforms. History records three recipients of the Purple Heart during the Revolution, but when the war ended so did the award, at least for a while. Washington's General Order of August 7, disappeared and for 150 years the Purple Heart remained dormant.
As the country prepared to celebrate the bicentennial of Washington's birth in 1932, researchers at the War Department's records division came across the long-lost document. Franklin Roosevelt reinstated the Purple Heart and declared any serviceman in any branch of the military who was wounded in the performance of his duty eligible to receive it.
Following Roosevelt's lead a succession of presidents expanded the Purple Heart's reach. Truman made it retroactive to World War I veterans, while Kennedy expanded it to civilians in the service of the military. Reagan amended the award to include those killed or wounded by acts of terrorism.
Along the way, the Purple Heart has accumulated many distinctions. It is the oldest military decoration in the world and the first to be awarded to the common soldier. It is also the world's costliest decoration to make. But as with any award it is the actions behind it that gives the Purple Heart its meaning. No document sums up the spirit of the Purple Heart better then George Washington's General Order of August 7, 1782.
The General, ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers as well as foster and encourage every species of military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with due reward….
The name and regiment of the persons so certified are to be enrolled in a Book of Merit which shall be kept in the orderly room…. Men who have merited this distinction to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinels which officers are permitted to do…. The order to be retroactive to the earliest stages of the war, and to be a permanent one…. The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all.
(This article, which originally appeared on National Review Online, is reprinted in observation of Constitution Day 2002.)
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