The Purple Heart traces its origin to George Washington’s 1782 Badge of Military Merit.
Washington created the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782, during the American Revolutionary War. It was intended to recognize soldiers who showed unusual gallantry or extraordinary fidelity and essential service. The decoration was unusual for its time because it could be awarded to enlisted soldiers as well as officers.
The original badge fell out of regular use after the Revolutionary War. In 1932, on the bicentennial of Washington’s birth, the U.S. Army revived the award as the Purple Heart. The modern medal primarily recognizes service members wounded or killed as a result of enemy action.
The Purple Heart is often confused with valor decorations such as the Silver Star. Its defining modern criterion is a combat-related wound or death, rather than simply extraordinary battlefield bravery.