Badge of Military Merit

American Continental Army award

This article is about the Continental Army award. For the post-World War I wound decoration, see Purple Heart.

Award

Badge of Military Merit

Type| Badge
Awarded for| Military merit
Description| Figure of a heart in purple cloth, or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding.
Country| United States
Presented by| General George Washington
Eligibility| Non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Continental Army
Status| Obsolete
Established| August 7, 1782 (1782-08-07)
First award| May 3, 1783 (1783-05-03)
Final award| June 10, 1783 (1783-06-10)

The Badge of Military Merit was an award for non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Continental Army. It is considered America's first military decoration, and the second oldest in the world (after the Cross of St. George).[a] Non commissioned officers and soldiers of the Continental Army were eligible. Renamed as the Purple Heart, it was ordered redesigned in 1931, and was re-commissioned in 1932 by General Douglas MacArthur in honor of George Washington’s bicentennial.[2]

## History

[edit]

The Badge of Military Merit was first announced in General George Washington's general orders to the Continental Army issued on August 7, 1782, at the Headquarters in Newburgh. Designed by Washington in the form of a purple heart, it was intended as a military order for soldiers who exhibited, "not only instances of unusual gallantry in battle, but also extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way".[3]

### First awards

[edit]

The writings of General Washington indicate that three badges, two Honorary Badges of Distinction[4] and a Badge of Military Merit, were created on August 7, 1782. This is thought to be the first time in modern history that military awards had been presented to common soldiers. Though the French Royal Army had started awarding the Medallion of Two Swords to enlisted soldiers for longevity in 1771,[5] the general practice in Europe was to honor high-ranking officers who had achieved victory, rather than honoring common soldiers.[6] But in America, as General Washington said, the "road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is…open to all".[3]

On August 7, 1782, Washington issued a general order detailing the badge:

> The General ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth, or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with a due reward. Before this favour can be conferred on any man, the particular fact, or facts, on which it is to be grounded must be set forth to the Commander in chief accompanied with certificates from the Commanding officers of the regiment and brigade to which the Candadate [sic] for reward belonged, or other incontestable proofs, and upon granting it, the name and regiment of the person with the action so certified are to be enrolled in the book of merit which will be kept at the orderly office. Men who have merited this last distinction to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinals [sic] which officers are permitted to do. The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all. This order is also to have retrospect to the earliest stages of the war, and to be considered as a permanent one.[3][7][page needed]

## Recipients

[edit]

Most historians indicate that only three people received the Badge of Military Merit during the American Revolutionary War, all of them noncommissioned officers, and the only ones who received the award from General Washington himself. Those soldiers were:

On May 3, 1783

* Sergeant William Brown of the 5th Connecticut Regiment of the Connecticut Line[8]
* Sergeant Elijah Churchill of the 2nd Regiment Light Dragoons[8]

On June 10, 1783

* Sergeant Daniel Bissell of the 2nd Connecticut Regiment of the Connecticut Line[9]

Period records, however, indicate that several others may have been awarded the Badge of Military Merit for service in the American Revolutionary War.[1]

## Status of original badges

[edit]

Brown's badge was found in a Deerfield, New Hampshire barn in the 1920s. There is disagreement in published sources about what became of Brown's badge after that. A badge on display at the American Independence Museum in Exeter, New Hampshire on behalf of the Society of the Cincinnati, New Hampshire Branch is stated to be Brown's.[10][11] Other sources say that Brown's badge was reported lost in 1924 while in the possession of Bishop Paul Matthews, and that the badge on display in Exeter belongs to a fourth, unknown recipient.[6][12]

As of 2015, Churchill's badge was owned by the National Temple Hill Association and on display at the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site.[13] Churchill's badge was rediscovered when H. E. Johnson, a Michigan farmer and one of Churchill's descendants, wrote to the National Temple Hill Association about the badge.[6]

Bissell's badge was reportedly lost when his house burned in July 1813.[6]

## Disuse

[edit]

After the Revolutionary War, the Badge of Military Merit fell into disuse although it was never officially abolished. In 1932, the United States War Department authorized the new Purple Heart Medal for soldiers who had previously received either a Wound Chevron or the Army Wound Ribbon. At that time, it was also determined that the Purple Heart Medal would be considered the official "successor decoration" to the Badge of Military Merit.[13]

## References

[edit]

Notes

1. ^ Although the Fidelity Medallion is older, it was awarded for a specific event, so the Badge of Military Merit is generally considered the oldest United States military award.[1][better source needed]

Sources

1. ^ a b Phoenix, J. (August 7, 2007). "The 225th Anniversary of the Purple Heart". West Point Association of Graduates. Retrieved October 15, 2009.
2. ^ Wescott, Allen Pennell (Autumn 1941). "For Military Merit". Military Affairs. 5 (3): 211–214\. doi:10.2307/2937597. ISSN 0026-3931. JSTOR 2937597.
3. ^ a b c "The George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741–1799". George Washington, August 7, 1782, General Orders. August 7, 1782. Archived from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2006.
4. ^ Honorary Badges of distinction are to be conferred on the veteran Non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the army who have served more than three years with bravery, fidelity and good conduct; for this purpose a narrow piece of white cloath [sic] of an angular form is to be fixed to the left arm on the uniform Coat. Non commissioned officers and soldiers who have served with equal reputation more than six years are to be distinguished by two pieces of cloth set in parellel [sic] to each other in a simular [sic] form; should any who are not entitled to these honors have the insolence to assume the badges of them they shall be severely punished. On the other hand it is expected those gallant men who are thus designated will on all occasions be treated with particular confidence and consideration. George Washington's General Orders of August 7, 1782
5. ^ "MÉDAILLON DES DEUX ÉPÉES". France-phaleristique - Ordres et Décorations de France. Marc Champenois. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
6. ^ a b c d Moran, Donald N. "Medals and Awards of The Revolution". Sons of Liberty Chapter: Sons of the American Revolution. Archived from the original on March 29, 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
7. ^ Fitzpatrick, John C. The Writings of Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1931–1944; reprint, New York: Greenwood Press, 1970.
8. ^ a b "The George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741–1799". George Washington, April 27, 1783, General Orders. April 27, 1783. Archived from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2006.
9. ^ "The George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741–1799". George Washington, June 8, 1783, General Orders. June 8, 1783. Archived from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2006.
10. ^ Grosvenor, Gilbert Hovey (1944). Insignia and Decorations of the U.S. Armed Forces (Rev. ed.). Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society. OCLC 569590.
11. ^ Wescott, Allen Pennell (1941). "For Military Merit". Military Affairs. 5 (3): 211–214\. doi:10.2307/2937597. JSTOR 2937597.
12. ^ The Legacy of the Purple Heart. Vol. 2 (4th rev. ed.). Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Co. 2001. p. 19\. ISBN 1-56311-723-1.
13. ^ a b "Personal Decorations: Purple Heart". The Institute of Heraldry. Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016.

* v
* t
* e

George Washington

* 1st President of the United States (1789–1797)
* Senior Officer of the Army (1798–1799)
* Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army (1775–1783)
* Delegate to the Second Continental Congress (1775)
* Delegate to the First Continental Congress (1774)

Military career
Revolutionary War|

* Military career
* French and Indian War
* Jumonville Glen
* Battle of Fort Necessity
* Battle of the Monongahela
* Forbes Expedition
* Washington in the American Revolution
* Commander-in-chief, Continental Army
* Aides-de-camp
* Washington's headquarters
* office and sleeping tent
* Boston campaign
* Siege of Boston
* New York and New Jersey campaign
* Delaware River crossing
* Battle of Trenton
* Battle of the Assunpink Creek
* Battle of Princeton
* Philadelphia campaign
* Battle of Brandywine
* Battle of Germantown
* Battle of White Marsh
* Valley Forge
* Battle of Monmouth
* Battles of Saratoga
* Sullivan Expedition
* Yorktown campaign
* Siege of Yorktown
* Culper Spy Ring
* Newburgh Conspiracy
* Newburgh letter
* Asgill Affair
* Evacuation Day
* Resignation as commander-in-chief
* Badge of Military Merit
* Purple Heart
* Washington Before Boston Medal
* Horses
* Nelson
* Blueskin

Other U.S.
founding events|

* Initiated, co-wrote, 1769 Virginia Association
* Initiated, 1774 Fairfax Resolves
* Continental Association
* Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture
* 1785 Mount Vernon Conference
* Chairman, 1787 Constitutional Convention
* George Washington's political evolution

Presidency
(timeline)|

* 1788–89 United States presidential election
* First inauguration
* inaugural bible
* 1792 presidential election
* Second inauguration
* Reception at Trenton
* Title of "Mr. President"
* Cabinet of the United States
* Secretary of State
* Attorney General
* Secretary of the Treasury
* Secretary of War
* Judiciary Act of 1789
* Oath Administration Act
* Nonintercourse Act
* Whiskey Rebellion
* Militia Acts of 1792
* Coinage Act of 1792
* United States Mint
* Presidential Succession Act of 1792
* United States Capitol cornerstone laying
* Proclamation of Neutrality
* Neutrality Act of 1794
* Jay Treaty
* Pinckney's Treaty
* Slave Trade Act of 1794
* Residence Act
* Thanksgiving Proclamation
* Farewell Address
* State of the Union Address January 1790
* December 1790
* 1791
* 1792
* 1793
* 1794
* 1795
* 1796
* Cabinet
* Federal judicial appointments
* John Rutledge Supreme Court nominations

Views and
public image|

* Presidential library
* The Washington Papers
* Religious views
* Town Destroyer
* Legacy

Life and homes|

* Early life
* Birthplace
* Ferry Farm boyhood home
* Mount Vernon
* Fishery
* Gristmill
* Whiskey distillery
* Woodlawn Plantation
* Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site
* Ford Mansion, Washington's headquarters
* Hasbrouck House
* First Presidential Mansion
* Second Presidential Mansion
* President's House, Philadelphia
* Germantown White House
* Custis estate
* Washington's relations with the Iroquois Confederacy
* Potomac Company
* James River and Kanawha Canal
* Mountain Road Lottery
* Congressional Gold Medal
* Thanks of Congress
* President General of the Society of the Cincinnati
* Washington College
* Washington and Lee University
* Electoral history of George Washington
* Post-presidency of George Washington

Memorials
and depictions|

* Washington, D.C.
* Washington state
* Washington Monument
* Mount Rushmore
* Washington's Birthday
* Purple Heart
* The Apotheosis of Washington
* Washington Monument (Boonsboro, Maryland)
* Washington Monument (Baltimore)
* Washington Monument (Philadelphia)
* George Washington (Houdon)
* plaster copy
* George Washington (Ceracchi)
* George Washington (Canova)
* George Washington (Greenough)
* George Washington (Trumbull)
* George Washington and the Revolutionary War Door
* Revolutionary War Door
* Washington Crossing the Delaware
* The Passage of the Delaware
* General George Washington at Trenton
* Washington at Verplanck's Point
* General George Washington Resigning His Commission
* Surrender of Lord Cornwallis
* Unfinished portrait
* Lansdowne portrait
* The Washington Family portrait
* Washington at Princeton paintings
* George Washington Taking the Salute at Trenton
* Reception at Trenton painting
* Statues
* Trenton Battle Monument
* Princeton Battle Monument
* Point of View sculpture
* George Washington on Horseback
* Austin statue
* Baltimore statue
* Boston statue
* Mexico City statue
* Morristown statue
* Newark statue
* New York City statue
* Wall Street statue
* Paris statue
* Perth Amboy statue
* Philadelphia statue
* Portland statue
* Trenton statue
* Washington, D.C. statue
* West Point monument
* George Washington University
* Washington University in St. Louis
* Washington Masonic National Memorial
* George Washington Memorial Parkway
* George Washington Bridge
* Washington Tree, Mariposa Grove
* Washington Tree, Sequoia National Park
* Washington and Jefferson National Forests
* Washington Square Park
* Arch
* U.S. Postage stamps
* Washington–Franklin Issues
* 1932 bicentennial
* Currency
* Washington quarter
* 50 State Quarters
* D.C. and territories quarters
* America the Beautiful quarters
* American Women quarters
* History Instructing Youth dollar
* Washington dollar
* Lafayette dollar
* Silver bullion coins
* Washington nickel
* Washington half eagle
* 250th Anniversary half dollar
* Mount Rushmore Anniversary coins
* Mount Washington
* Cultural depictions
* George Washington (1984 miniseries
* 1986 sequel)
* A More Perfect Union (1989 film)
* The Crossing (2000 film)
* We Fight to Be Free (2006 film)
* Turn: Washington's Spies (2014–2017 series)
* The War that Made America (2006 miniseries)
* Washington (2020 miniseries)
* Hamilton (film)

Related|

* Bibliography
* List of articles
* Founders Online
* Founding Fathers of the United States
* Republicanism
* Federalist Party
* Federalist Era
* Virginia dynasty
* Coat of arms
* Cherry-tree anecdote
* River Farm
* Washington's Crossing
* Washington–Rochambeau Revolutionary Route
* 1751 Barbados trip
* Category
* Syng inkstand
* General of the Armies
* Conway Cabal
* American Foxhound
* American Philosophical Society
* American Revolution
* patriots
* Betsy Ross flag
* Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
* Mount Vernon replicas
* George Washington Memorial Building
* Attempted theft of Washington's skull

Family|

* Martha Washington (wife)
* John Parke Custis (stepson)
* George Washington Parke Custis (step-grandson, adopted son)
* Eleanor Parke Custis (step-granddaughter, adopted daughter)
* Augustine Washington (father)
* Mary Ball Washington (mother)
* Lawrence Washington (half-brother)
* Augustine Washington Jr. (half-brother)
* Elizabeth Washington Lewis (sister)
* Samuel Washington (brother)
* John A. Washington (brother)
* Charles Washington (brother)
* Lawrence Washington (grandfather)
* Mildred Gale (grandmother)
* John Washington (great-grandfather)
* George Reade (2nd great-grandfather)
* Bushrod Washington (nephew)

Slavery|

* Washington and slavery
* List of enslaved people of Mount Vernon
* Betty
* Caroline Branham
* William Costin
* West Ford
* Sarah Johnson
* Oney Judge
* Philip Lee
* William Lee
* Hercules Posey
* Christopher Sheels
* Deborah Squash
* Harry Washington

* John Adams →

* Category
* Outline

Portal:

* United States

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template