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August 7

Washington Creates First U.S. Military Award – Badge of Military Merit – Precursor to the Purple Heart (1782)


On August 7, 1782, General George Washington ordered the creation of the first U.S. military award, the Badge of Military Merit, to honor soldiers wounded in battle. The Badge of Military Merit was later renamed as the Purple Heart.

In Europe, the practice was to honor high-ranking officers who secured victories in battle, rather than common soldiers. However, General Washington stated that the road to glory was open to all – not just commissioned officers.

Most historians agree that the Badge of Military Merit was the first award of the United States military. However, the Fidelity Medallion is older, but it was only issued to three soldiers for one event in 1780.

On this day, August 7, 1782, General Washington announced the creation of the Badge of Military Merit to the Continental Army from his headquarters in Newburgh, New York. Washington stated that the award was for soldiers who exhibited “extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way."

Most historians believe that just three soldiers received the Badge of Military Merit for their outstanding service during the American Revolution. The award was given to three sergeants (i.e. noncommissioned officers) from Connecticut who volunteered to fight for General Washington in the American Revolutionary War.

On May 3, 1783, Sgt Elijah Churchill, 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, was the first to receive the award followed by Sgt William Brown, 5th Connecticut Regiment of the Connecticut Line. A little over one month later, Sgt Daniel Bissell, 2nd Connecticut Regiment of the Connecticut Line, received his award.

After the Revolutionary War, the Badge of Military Merit was not used again; but it was not officially abolished. In 1932, the United States War Department created the Purple Heart to succeed the Bade of Military Merit for soldiers who had previously received the Army Wound Ribbon or Wound Chevron.