History

The Purple Heart is America’s oldest military award. The Purple Heart traces its origins to the Revolutionary War, when General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit in 1782. It was a purple heart made of cloth with the word “merit” stitched across it in white to honor soldiers wounded or displaying exceptional valor in service to the young nation. After falling into disuse for more than a century, the decoration was revived and renamed the Purple Heart in 1932 on the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth. The current Purple Heart medal was designed by Elizabeth Will, an Army heraldic specialist, and features a profile image of Washington. Its modern form and expanded recognition were shaped during World War II under General Douglas MacArthur, who authorized the award for service members wounded or killed in action, firmly establishing the Purple Heart as a lasting symbol of sacrifice and courage in the United States military.

The Purple Heart’s award criteria have evolved significantly over time. Initially, it was limited to Army and Army Air Corps personnel and could not be awarded posthumously to a service member’s next of kin. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order authorizing the Navy to award the Purple Heart to Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guard personnel, expanding eligibility across the Armed Forces. That same year, the medal was also approved for posthumous award to any service member killed on or after December 6, 1941.

Originally, the Purple Heart recognized merit, with combat wounds considered one form of meritorious service. However, the establishment of the Legion of Merit in 1942 made the Purple Heart’s use for merit unnecessary, and that practice was discontinued. Today, by regulation, the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or has died as a result of wounds sustained due to enemy action.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) John J. McDaniel founded Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation in 2007. John started as a concerned citizen taking a few Wounded Warriors out on hunting and fishing trips but quickly saw that the need for this kind of healing was greater than he could support on his own. He started as a concerned citizen taking a few Wounded Warriors out on hunting and fishing trips, but quickly saw that the need for this kind of healing was greater than he could support on his own. In 2009 WWIA was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and has been changing the lives of American Heroes and American Sportsmen and women across the country ever since.