Delta Junction in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska — Northwest (North America)

Alaska Proudly Honors Purple Heart Recipients

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024

1. Alaska Proudly Honors Purple Heart Recipients Marker

Military Order of the Purple Heart
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Inscription.

Alaska Proudly Honors Purple Heart Recipients. . , The History of the Purple Heart , In 1783 during the American Revolution General George Washington first awarded a decoration of embroidered purple fabric in the shape of a heart called the Badge of Military Merit. The decoration was awarded to recognize exceptionally meritorious action. This honor is considered the first official military combat badge of the United State Armed [F]orces and was the first decoration for valor presented to enlisted personnel., In 1931, General Douglas MacArthur set out to establish a combat decoration to succeed the Badge of Military Merit. 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 the Purple Heart medal would be considered the official successor decoration to the Badge of Military Merit. On Washington's birthday (February 22, 1932) the new decoration was announced. It is awarded today to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action in combat., The Purple Heart medal consists of a gold border surrounding a purple enamel heart with a bust of George Washington in the center. The Washington coat-of-arms is centered at the top of the medal with sprays of green leaves at each side., Alaska's Purple Heart Trail , On May 3, 2008, Governor Sarah Palin signed a law designating the Alaska Highway and Richardson Highway between the border with Canada and Fairbanks as the Purple Heart Trail. On August 12, 2022, Governor Mike Dunleavy signed a law extending the designation from Fairbanks to Homer and along the Alaska Marine Highway System. Alaska's Purple Heart Trail is one of many such designated routes in the United States. The Military Order of the Purple Heart has encouraged states to designate Purple Heart Trails to honor the sacrifice given for our nation by Purple Heart recipients., [Map showing Purple Heart Trail . Purple Heart Trail Marine Highway Route . National Highway System], The Purple Heart Trail reminds us of our debt to those who greatly sacrificed for the freedoms we all enjoy.

The History of the Purple Heart
In 1783 during the American Revolution General George Washington first awarded a decoration of embroidered purple fabric in the shape of a heart called the Badge of Military Merit. The decoration was awarded to recognize exceptionally meritorious action. This honor is considered the first official military combat badge of the United State Armed [F]orces and was the first decoration for valor presented to enlisted personnel.

In 1931, General Douglas MacArthur set out to establish a combat decoration to succeed the Badge of Military Merit. 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 the Purple Heart medal would be considered the official successor decoration to the Badge of Military Merit. On Washington's birthday (February 22, 1932) the new decoration was announced. It is awarded today to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action in combat.

The Purple Heart medal consists of a gold border surrounding a purple enamel heart with a bust of George Washington in the center. The Washington coat-of-arms is centered at the top of the medal with sprays of green leaves at each side.

Alaska's Purple Heart Trail
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May 3, 2008, Governor Sarah Palin signed a law designating the Alaska Highway and Richardson Highway between the border with Canada and Fairbanks as the Purple Heart Trail. On August 12, 2022, Governor Mike Dunleavy signed a law extending the designation from Fairbanks to Homer and along the Alaska Marine Highway System. Alaska's Purple Heart Trail is one of many such designated routes in the United States. The Military Order of the Purple Heart has encouraged states to designate Purple Heart Trails to honor the sacrifice given for our nation by Purple Heart recipients.

[Map showing Purple Heart Trail • Purple Heart Trail Marine Highway Route • National Highway System]

The Purple Heart Trail reminds us of our debt to those who greatly sacrificed for the freedoms we all enjoy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical date for this entry is May 3, 2008.

Location. 64° 2.22′ N, 145° 43.914′ W. Marker is in Delta Junction in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska. It is at the intersection of Richardson Highway (State Highway 4 at milepost 266) and the Alaska Highway (State Highway 2), on

Alaska Proudly Honors Purple Heart Recipients Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024

2. Alaska Proudly Honors Purple Heart Recipients Marker

Next to Alaska's "state bird" - but no Purple Heart
given for the blood they draw

the right when traveling north on Richardson Highway. Marker is on the Delta Junction Visitor Center grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2885 Alaska Highway, Delta Junction AK 99737, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Athabascan Region

and in Interior Alaska.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Agricultural Development in Delta (here, next to this marker); Delta Junction, Alaska (a few steps from this marker); Pipeline Passageway (a few steps from this marker); Trans Alaska Pipeline "Pig" (a few steps from this marker); "Two in the Far North" (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Construction of the Sullivan Roadhouse (about 500 feet away); Gardening at the Sullivan Roadhouse (about 500 feet away); Historic Location of the Sullivan Roadhouse (about 500 feet away).

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Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delta Junction.

Also see . . . Purple Heart. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on January 7, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 174 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.