New Washington in Crawford County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Purple Heart Medal

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 20, 2025

1. Purple Heart Medal Marker

Inscription. The Purple Heart is presented to U.S. military service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action as recognition of their sacrifice in the line of duty.

• The Purple Heart was established by General George Washington in 1782 and was originally awarded as the Badge of Military Merit. It is the oldest military award still presented to American service members.

• As specified by Army regulations, the medal is an enamel purple heart with a profile of George Washington in silhouette. Above the heart is Washington's family coat of arms between two sprays of leaves. The reverse of the medal bears the inscription, "For Military Merit."

• In order of precedence, the Purple Heart ranks immediately behind the Bronze Star and ahead of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

• During WWII an abundance of Purple Heart medals were produced in anticipation of the planned Allied invasion of Japan, but the invasion was forestalled by the U.S. deployment of the atomic bomb. The medals awarded today continue to be taken from that overstock.

• More than 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been presented since the award was created in 1782. This total includes 35,000+ awarded to service members wounded in the Iraq War and 7,000+ wounded in Afghanistan.

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in this topic list: Military. In addition, it is included in the Military Order of the Purple Heart series list. A significant day of the year for for this entry is May 31.

Location. 40° 57.76′ N, 82° 51.226′ W. Marker is in New Washington, Ohio, in Crawford County. It is at the intersection of West Mansfield Street and Kibler Street, on the right when traveling west on West Mansfield Street. The marker is located in the New Washington Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 W Mansfield Street, New Washington OH 44854, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: American Legion (here, next to this marker); Silver Star Medal / Bronze Star Medal (a few steps from this marker); United States Air Force (a few steps from this marker); United States Coast Guard (a few steps from this marker); Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier (a few steps from this marker); Flag Of The United States (a few steps from this marker); Chair Of Honor (a few steps from this marker); United States Marine Corps (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Washington.

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 20, 2025

2. Purple Heart Medal Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 20, 2025

3. Purple Heart Medal Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 47 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 22, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.