THE PURPLE HEART By Kenneth Riege
The Purple Heart Medal as it appears today. The Purple Heart Medal is the oldest military award still presented to U.S. Military Members. Let’s look at the history of how and why this decoration was established. The original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established by General George Washington on 7 August 1782. General Washington was at that time the Commander-In-Chief of the Continental Army.
Veterans who had served in the United States Military during WWI and were Wounded In Action (WIA) were eligible to apply for a Purple Heart Medal, or if that military member was Killed In Action (KIA) or had already passed, then the next of kin was able to apply for this medal. This is how it came about that I received a Purple Heart Medal on behalf of my grandfather, Pvt. Paul Emerson Riege, who served with the 1st Battalion/5th Marines and was WIA twice.
My grandfather passed in March 1990, and no one in my family knew if he had ever applied for or received his Purple Heart Medal. Sadly, this is where This is a collage of pictures that were taken in May 2015 as I was this part of the story presented the Purple Heart Medal in honor of my grandfather Pvt. would have ended Paul Emerson Riege. This award came almost 100 years after he if it had not been was wounded twice during WWI. for an organization projected casualties that would result called “Purple from an invasion of mainland Japan. Hearts Reunited.” This is a wonderful These medals have been used for the organization of which I am a proud The “Badge of Military Merit” that was Korean and Vietnam War, The Persian established by General George Washington volunteer. This organization was created Gulf War, and the Wars in Iraq and by a Purple Heart Recipient of the Iraq in 1782. Afghanistan. War, Major Zachariah Fike, whose mission is to find and/or replace missing While I am unsure who was the first The Criteria for receiving the Purple or stolen medals, or in the case of my recipient of the “Badge of Military Heart Medal: grandfather, work for medals that were Merit,” we know the first Purple Heart Medal, (which by Executive Order of the never presented. I highly recommend The Purple Heart is awarded in the President of the United States was revived everyone check out their website and name of the President of the United States support this fine organization. on the 200th Anniversary of George Please visit: www.purpleheartsreunited. to any member of the Armed Forces of Washington’s birth, out of respect to his the United States who, while serving org memory and military achievements, by under competent authority in any capacity War Department General Order #3, dated with one of the U.S. Armed Services During World War II, an estimated 22 Feb. 1932) was presented to General after April 5, 1917, has been wounded 506,000 Purple Heart Medals were Douglas MacArthur. or killed. Specific examples of services manufactured in anticipation of the 50
August 2019
