Each year on August 7, we observe Purple Heart Day to honor U.S. service members who were wounded or killed in action. For our local VFW Post 577, it's not just a commemorative date—it’s a deeply personal reminder of valor, sacrifice, and continued support.

A Brief History of the Purple Heart

• The story begins in 1782, when George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit—a heart-shaped patch of purple cloth awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers.
• The modern Purple Heart Medal was established on February 22, 1932, coinciding with the bicentennial of Washington’s birth. The medal bears his likeness and a purple-enamel heart, symbolizing courage and sacrifice.

Who Receives the Purple Heart?

• Awarded to U.S. military members wounded or killed by enemy action in any conflict.
• Eligibility includes injuries from gunfire, shrapnel, or concussive forces in combat zones — not training mishaps.
• Purple Heart Day offers a chance to recognize living recipients and remember those lost. It’s our way of saying: You are not forgotten.

How Purple Heart Day Is Observed

• Ceremonies and flag raisings on August 7
• Purple displays or lighting in public spaces
• Moments of silence
• Veteran stories shared on social media posts with #PurpleHeartDay
• Visit the National Purple Heart Honor Mission on YouTube and watch the tribute video on the Purple Heart Mission website.
• See additional resources below

Historical Progression of the Purple Heart Medal Design

🟣 1782 — Badge of Military Merit (Predecessor)

• Issued by: George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
• Form: Heart-shaped piece of purple cloth, edged in silver, with the word Merit stitched in.
• Notable: Only 3 known recipients. This was not a metal medal and was not officially reissued after the 18th century.
• Collectability: Rare and only symbolic in historical lineage; not part of the modern Purple Heart lineage in medal design.

🟣 1932 — Official Purple Heart Medal Created

• Design:
• Gold heart outlined in white enamel
• Purple enamel center
• Bust of George Washington in a profile (uniformed), facing left
• Above: Washington’s coat of arms (white shield with red bars and stars)
• Reverse: "For Military Merit" inscribed in raised letters, with space for engraving recipient's name.
• Ribbon: Solid purple with white edges
• Maker Marks: Earlier medals (1932–1942) were engraved and sometimes included the name of the recipient on the back.
• Issued To: Veterans retroactively wounded as far back as WWI.

• Changes in Materials: Wartime shortages caused some medals to be made of bronze or metal alloy with painted enamel.
• Production: Many medals were mass-produced in anticipation of heavy casualties. Notably, over 500,000 medals were stockpiled, many of which were never issued.
• Identification: WWII medals often lack a name engraving. Earlier medals may have a slightly larger bust of Washington and deeper purple enamel.

🟣 Korean and Vietnam War Eras (1950s–1970s)

• Consistency: Design remained largely the same as WWII.
• Differences:
• Medals from this era were often machine-struck and had cleaner lines.
• Some ribbons used a lighter purple dye, fading with time.
• Medals may be found in government-issued black leatherette presentation boxes, often with the name of the service branch inside the lid.
• Engraving: Not always present; engraving became less consistent by Vietnam era.

• Modern Materials:
• Higher consistency in finish and ribbon coloration
• More common use of anodized aluminum or zinc alloy
• The medal is now produced with gold lacquer rather than plated gold
• Presentation: Comes in a hard case with a lapel pin, ribbon bar, and full medal
• Back inscription: Still reads "For Military Merit,” with optional engraving for the recipient's name
• Detailing: George Washington’s bust is more defined and the enamel finish is typically glossier

More Than a Medal, More Than a Day