Established by General George Washington in 1782 during the War for American Independence, the Purple Heart was originally called the Badge of Military Merit.  According to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the medal is “the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first American award made available to the common soldier.”  General Washington’s General Orders establishing the military decoration read, in part:

“…[W]henever 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.”

Today’s Purple Heart medal contains a profile of George Washington and a shield of the Washington coat of arms between sprays of green leaves. The reverse side holds a raised bronze heart and is inscribed with the words: “For Military Merit.”