Establishing Purple Heart Day

On August 7, 1782, General George Washington established the Badge of Military Merit to honor military enlisted men and noncommissioned officers. This badge was only awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers then fell to the wayside after the war. In 1932, on Washington's 200th birthday, the United States reinstituted the Badge of Military Merit which was renamed the "Purple Heart."

Throughout history the Purple Heart has been awarded for meritorious service. With the introduction of the Legion of Merit in 1942, the award of the Purple Heart transitioned to awarding members of the United States armed forces who have been wounded or killed in battle.

Since this honor has been reinstituted in the United States, approximately 1.7 million service men and women have received the Purple Heart nationwide, among which are fellow Alaskans. Currently, there are about 500,000 Purple Heart recipients who are still alive.

In the past, the State of Alaska and the Municipality of Anchorage has recognized August 7 as Purple Heart Day. With it being our nation's oldest military medal, we have decided to honor those who have received it on the day of its predecessor's inception. We ask you for your support to establish August 7 as Purple Heart Day in perpetuity to honor those who have been wounded or killed in battle.