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The day will pass without fanfare but August 7, 2009 is the 227th anniversary of the esablishment of the Order of the Purple Heart.  It was originally designated the Badge of Military Merit by then commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, George Washington, in 1782.
  
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In his order Washington wrote, “Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the purple heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen.”  Strangely enough only three Revolutionary War soldiers ever received the award.
 
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It wasn’t until April, 1917 that a new medal called the Purple Heart was created for the same purpose as the Badge of Military Merit.  During World War II almost a half-million medals were made in anticipation of the casualties expected from a planned invasion of Japan which never occurred.  To date, that number has not been exhausted.  Combat units in Iraq and Afghanistan have medals on hand for immediate award to wounded soldiers on the field.

The Purple Heart medals differ from all other decorations in that the soldier, sailor, airman or marine does not have to be recommended for the award.  Rather he or she is entitled to it.  The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 sets forth stiff penalties, including prison time, for those who falsely claim to have been awarded the Purple Heart.  Anyone selling the medal not belonging to himself is also guilty of a federal offense.
 
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For many years certain civilians were eligible to receive the Purple Heart such as Red Cross workers and war correspondents.  Famed newpaper reporter Ernie Pyle was such a recipient after being killed by a sniper in 1945.  Strong lobbying by the Military Order of the Purple Heart was successful in 1997 in getting congress to pass legislation prohibiting any additional civilian awards.  Civilians killed or wounded by enemy action now receive the new Defense of Freedom Medal created after 9/11/2001.

Among notables receiving Purple Hearts are Arizona Senator John McCain, the late President John F. Kennedy, Twilight Zone’s Rod Serling, actors Charles Bronson, Charles Durning, Lee Marvin and Audie Murphy and director Oliver Stone.

Six U.S. Army GIs share the honor of winning the most Purple Hearts–eight.  Since only one medal may be awarded, each of these is accompanied by 7 oak leaf clusters.  

In your travels today if you happen to pass by a VA Medical Center know that some of the patients inside are recipients of the Purple Heart because they “…have given (their) blood in the defense of (their) homeland and shall forever be revered by (their) fellow countrymen.”