Purple Heart Day
“Wounded Warrior” painting by: US Marine Michael Fay
On this date in 1782, in Newburgh, New York, General George Washington created the “Badge for Military Merit,” a decoration consisting of a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk, edged in silver, with the word Merit etched. It was to be presented for any one meritorious action and it permitted the wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge. The honoree’s name and regiment were to be inscribed in “The Book of Merit.”
Purple Heart certificate given during the Korean War
Only three soldiers are known to have been awarded this medal during the Revolutionary War: Elijah Churchill, William Brown and Daniel Bissell Jr. The Book of Merit was lost and the medal was virtually forgotten. In 1927, General Charles Summerall sent an unsuccessful draft bill to Congress to revive the Badge.
Patch for Afghanistan
General Douglas MacArthur took up the cause, hoping to get the medal reinstated for the bicentennial of George Washington’s birthday. He succeeded – 22 February 1932 the US War Department announced the creation of the “Order of the Purple Heart.”
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, New Windsor, NY
This medal is awarded to members of the US Armed Forces who have been killed or wounded in action against an enemy. It is also given to soldiers who have suffered maltreatment as prisoners of war.
The ‘impersonal chaos of war’ display in the Hall of Honor
The most Purple Hearts awarded to any individual soldier is nine (9) to USMC Sergeant Albert Luke Ireland; five (5) for World War II and four (4) for his action in the Korean War.
Total Casualties as of May 27, 2013
| Total Serving | Battle Deaths | Other Deaths | Total Deaths | Wounded | ||
| Revolutionary War | 4,435 | 4,435 | 6,188 | |||
| War of 1812 | 286,730 | 2,260 | 2,260 | 4,505 | ||
| Mexican War | 78,718 | 1,733 | 11,550 | 13,283 | 4,152 | |
| Civil War | 2,213,363 | 140,414 | 224,097 | 364,511 | 281,881 | |
| Spanish American | 306,760 | 385 | 2,061 | 2,446 | 1,662 | |
| World War I | 4,734,991 | 53,202 | 63,114 | 116,316 | 204,002 | |
| World War II | 16,112,566 | 291,557 | 113,842 | 405,399 | 670,846 | |
| Korean War | 5,720,000 | 33,746 | 3,249 | 36,995 | 103,284 | |
| Vietnam War | 8,744,000 | 47,355 | 10,796 | 58,151 | 153,303 | |
| Desert Storm | 2,225,000 | 147 | 235 | 382 | 467 | |
| Enduring Freedom | 1784 | 318 | 2.286 | 9,675 | ||
| Iraqi Freedom | 3483 | 890 | 4,422 | 31,935 | ||
| Totals | 580,182 | 430,370 | 1,010,876 | 1,478,096 |
Farewell Salutes –
Charles Andres III – Harvey, LA; US Army, WWII, Lt.Col. (Ret.), Purple Heart
Anthony DiTommasso – Providence, RI; USMC, WWII, PTO, Purple Heart
Herbert Faulk – Alcatraz, CA; US Army, WWII, ETO, Purple Heart
Kenneth French – Charleston, MI; US Army, WWII, Purple Heart
Joseph Gallagher – Radcliff, KY; US Army, WWII, Korea & Vietnam, Lt.Col. (Ret. 37 years), 2 Bronze Stars, 3 Purple Hearts
Keith James – Easley, SC; US Army, Vietnam, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
William Kiernan – Williamsburg, VA; US Army, WWII, Corps of Engineers, Purple Heart
Herdis McCrary – Green Bay, WI; US Army, Korea, 2 Purple Hearts
Albert Russo – Ambridge, PA; US Army, WWII, ETO, 2nd Ranger Batt., bronze Star, 2 Purple Hearts
Noel Seeburg Jr. – Chicago, IL, US Army, WWII, PTO, Capt., Bronze Star, Purple Heart
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Posted on August 7, 2016, in Current News, Korean War, Uncategorized, Vietnam, WWII and tagged family history, History, Korean War, Military History, Purple Heart, veterans, war, Wounded, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 115 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
Those are unbelievably staggering numbers. This was a great post.
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Thank you. And thanks for dropping by.
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Thank you! 💜🇺🇸
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You are very welcome.
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Interesting that the Purple Heart didn’t start off as being for getting oneself wounded. I rather doubt that the qualifiers for the reintroduced version were allowed to pass sentries unchallenged,
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According to my father, some were given for superficial wounds, unbeknownst to the higher-ups. My dad received shrapnel wounds one day, but was too embarrassed to ever get one. Says he was crossing the compound and thought all that buzzing was from the millions of insects on New Guinea, says he took the shrapnel because of his own stupidity and wouldn’t dishonor the medal by asking for one.
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A man of high principles. I would have thought a wound was a wound – but where reticence might be warranted would be when something got one in the backside while one was in full flight! 🙂
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My father explained to me that he held the Purple Heart in high regard and to receive it for a mistake on his part would be to disrespect it. Running away might get you shot by ‘friendly fire.’ 🙂
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True on both counts!
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Iraq and Afg probably over 50,000 amputees and over 300,000 with certifiable mental illness.
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And still our government hasn’t pulled out. If they remembered their history, they would recall that even Russia got out after 10 years!!!
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The Badge for Military Merit must have been a very elusive medal with only three awarded, and Sergeant Albert Luke Ireland with 9 awards must have had some great story’s to tell his grand kids.
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Back when the medal was started, an officer might not have been even aware of the medal and if he did, it took forever to get word to Washington. But it’s good to see someone received it. I think most veterans have great stories to tell, if they open up.
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I never have known about the purple heart award.Thanks for the information
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Every country should honor those wounded and/or killed in action – they do it for our safety.
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Thanks for the history , GP . Battle deaths , as horrible as they are , are usually reported while wounded numbers seldom are , it seems . I hadn’t realized that the purple heart award had been gone for such a long period of our history .
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Many do not, Dan. I appreciate you dropping by to read the post.
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I have always wondered about the origin of purple heart award. Great article and thanks for educating me. 😊
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My pleasure. That’s one of my reasons for doing this site.
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Thank you for sharing as always GP. Have a great weekend and I do apologise for taking a while to read your posts as I only have snippets of self time.😊
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No problem, I do as well, so I understand.
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😊
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Nine Purple Hearts means nine serious injuries, am I correct? I’d think that was enough to put a man in his grave. Sgt Ireland must have been one tough SOB.
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… and that he was, according to records! Thanks for coming by.
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Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner.
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I’m certain these troops appreciate your continued support. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on Ancien Hippie.
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Thank you, Penny, for continuing to honor these troops.
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Thanks for the Purple Heart lesson. Those Civil War numbers never cease to amaze me.
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When both sides are from the same country, numbers climb rapidly. They had economic and social differences, an on-going battle between states and federal rights (which I still see today) and the south hated Lincoln even before he was elected – all boiling under the surface.
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Thanks for the history on the Purple Heart. The casualty list was stunning. Broke my heart to think about those soldiers and their families. A sobering post, GP.
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I see the history of the medal starting to spread on the internet, but on a whole, not many learn that history. The casualty list breaks my heart – I still say, if two leaders can’t get along – they should do the fighting!
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It is so unreal that the death in the civil war make up such a huge proportion of all the history of the US.
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When both sides are from the same country, it does make for quite a bit of history – even going back 150 years. (some people think we’re still fighting it)
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I really enjoyed learning the history of the Purple Heart, GP; and the chart of casualties was sobering. Good post for what’s in the news these days.
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Thank you. I keep hoping people will remember their history and watch for it repeating in the current events.
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While I knew about the purple heart, I found it intriguing to learn about the history of this important metal. Thank you
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My pleasure, Christy. I’m just glad you found it interesting.
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It is a beautiful looking medal that perfectly encompasses the sacrifice made
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I believe it is too, Deano. Thanks for dropping by.
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Thanks so much for this excellent article. I was not familiar with the distinguished history of this important medal. Keep up the great work, GP!
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I feel it’s the least I can do for those who gave so much. Thanks for coming, Stephen.
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Heart-rending list of casualities, wounded, dead. Fascinating article.
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I know, and each one had a family affected.
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Reblogged this on Random Ramblings; Myriad Musings and commented:
My family has many Purple Heart awards…the most recent one was given to an uncle, one of my mother’s brothers, who was killed in action during the Vietnam War.
It’s not a medal that any family really wants – and no, it isn’t as easy as just being handed one…
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I’m sorry for your family’s loss. I do appreciate you honoring this day.
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Great post and absolutely wonderful painting!! 🙂
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To me, that painting is worth a thousand words.
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I couldn´t agree more – it tells so much, simply stunning!!
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i was shocked to see Mr. Trump got given one !
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I’m still feeling pros and cons about both candidates (frankly I wish we didn’t have to choose), but I was stunned by this move myself.
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I hear u about having to choose.
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Thanks for this post. Much I didn’t know, that I’m glad I do now.
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Thanks, Dan.
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GP, very interesting facts about the Purple Heart & startling war statistics! Too many people don’t know the facts & horrors of war! Thank you for your enlightening posts! 💛 Elizabeth
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Not only is history an interest of mine, Elizabeth, but the older I get and the more I learn – this blog is the least I can do. Thank you for your continued friendship.
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That set of statistics makes for some very grim reading. On the other hand, your nation is not short of brave and self sacrificing citizens.
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Thank you very much. You have quite a few yourself!
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It certainly has a long history and worth remembering.
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Thank you for agreeing with me!
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A moving tribute. They out to teach this in school. God bless our vets.
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You would think schools would believe this to be important. It with thanks to these men that they have the freedom to teach everything.
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Great info on this award. I’m a 20 year bet and didnt know this. Thanks
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Not many people do I’m afraid. I thank you for your service and certainly hope you did not need get one of these.
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No sir, fortunately!
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Important post, GP. A couple of notes. One the Purple Heart doesn’t cover psychological damage, which in some ways is as bad or worse that physical injuries (depending on the wound). Two, how the numbers have dropped so dramatically. Part of this is due to how much better we have become at dealing with wounds in the field. –Curt
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I have been wondering how statistics will read in the future on Iraq/Afghanistan due to the same men having to do 3,4,5 tours – and people wonder why PTSD is such a problem? Is that stupidity or gall?
The KIA numbers have also dropped because much of the battling does not happen face-to-face, but the WIA still get their Purple Heart.
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The endless wars… Tony wisely decided that there was better things to do with his life after the third tour. –Curt
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Happy Days, eh?!!
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Appaling numbers of casualties…
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I saw some of the lists that included other countries too and it is disgusting to think we continue to do it.
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Great article and loved hearing the history of the purple heart and that it was re-instated. Interesting chart on the casualties for each of the wars and how many served.
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It makes me wonder how the statistics should read for Iraq/Afghanistan when so many of our troops have to go back for 3,4,5 tours!! [and they wonder why PTSD is such a serious problem these days!]
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Exactly and wonder also. I remember when we went to see ‘American Sniper’ I think he had either 4 or 5 tours.
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Right.
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Interesting history lesson on the Purple Heart, GP. Glad they revived it! I don’t understand why the first bill in 1927 didn’t pass though.
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Maybe they actually believed that WWI was really the war to end all wars. [not the start of so many more].
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Excellent post, GP.
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Thank you, John. Your visits are always appreciated.
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🙂
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Reblogged this on In Saner Thought and commented:
My friend at Pacific Paratrooper posted this today…..a good site if you are at all interested in WW2….
This is one of those days that we Americans need to pay more attention to…it is dedicated to those wounded in the course of combat to whom we owe a debt that we seem determined to not honor…
I salute my friend for bringing this to light…..chuq
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I appreciate you doing this for the troops. [I know weekends are for your family.]
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As been given 2 of them….there is nothing more important than their memory….chuq
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Thank you for posting this. A very timely reminder.
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I think it should be on every calendar to remember. Thank you for coming by.
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It’s humbling to think of the many who sacrificed so much to be honored by this medal.
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So many got patched up and went back in too – amazing.
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Thank you for posting this. I would like to share it with my readers as well. May I ?
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Most certainly. These troops worked hard for us, they deserve all the recognition and honor they can get.
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Reblogged this on Dak's Bays.
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Thank you. These men fought for us, I feel it’s the least I can do.
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Thank you for this important lesson, which is re-blogged at https://villageundertaker.wordpress.com/2016/08/07/purple-heart-day/
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It was my pleasure. These troops deserve any and all recognition.
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Reblogged this on A Simple, Village Undertaker and commented:
I always say we must learn something new every day. I knew some of this, but learned much. If I did, you will too.
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I thank you for helping me to remember them all.
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Thank you for sharing statistics.
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It certainly gives us a reality check, eh?
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Thank you for this post. It is so important!
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I’m happy you are one of those people who can see that.
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Thank you! I wish everyone understood.
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Nice to reward soldiers wounded in action with these honours. The Germans were very big on wound badges too, though the British and Soviet forces used wound stripes or chevrons.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Good to know. Thanks for the info, Pete.
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Perfect post my friend….if you like I will re-blog on IST…chuq
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If you find it good enough for your site, go right ahead. These troops deserve our attention!
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I totally agree! It will be posted later this morning and thanx…chuq
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No problem. Enjoy your weekend.
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You also
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Good article, thank you for sharing
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I appreciate you reading it to honor those troops.
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Thank for helping me to honor these troops.
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Thank you. I know for a fact you understand today.
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Thank you for the ‘plug’ and thinking of me and Koji. I’ll have to get to know your other friends!!
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