Lorain in Lorain County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

History of The Purple Heart Medal

Photographed by Craig Doda, February 28, 2026

1. History of The Purple Heart Medal Marker

Inscription. "Let it be known that he who wears the Military Order of the Purple Heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall ever be revered by his fellow countrymen." George Washington

The Purple Heart is the nation's oldest award. Although it has changed in title and use over the years, its history can be traced back to the Badge of Military Merit established by George Washington on August 7, 1782. The initial design consisted of a cloth Purple Heart including the word "Merit" worn over the left breast and awarded to the common soldier of the Continental Army for valor or meritorious service.

The award fell out of use after the Revolutionary War until just after World War I. In 1932, Douglas MacArthur, then the Army Chief of Staff, reestablished the award, renaming the Purple Heart and creating it into the design we know today. The award was made retroactive to allow World War I soldiers who had earned certain awards to now receive the Purple Heart.

At first, the award was only available to the U.S. Army. But, during World War II, Congress in 1942 changed the rules authorizing it for wounds inflicted by

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the enemy and making it available to all branches of the military. In April, 1942, the War Department decided that the Purple Heart would also be issued to the service members killed in action in honor of the ultimate sacrifice.

In September, 1942, and since then, the Purple Heart can only be awarded for being wounded or killed by enemy action, retroactive to Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. To date, there have been over 1.8 million Purple Hearts awarded to U.S. troops in defense of our great nation.

Since 2014, August 7th is observed as National Purple Heart Day

Erected 2024 by Military Order of The Purple Heart Chapter #473.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Military.

Location. 41° 27.72′ N, 82° 11.802′ W. Memorial is in Lorain, Ohio, in Lorain County. It is at the intersection of West Erie Avenue and Lakeshore Drive, on the right when traveling west on West Erie Avenue. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 1800 W Erie Ave, Lorain OH 44052, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Cleveland,

Photographed by Craig Doda, February 28, 2026

2. History of The Purple Heart Medal Marker

on the Lake Erie Shore,

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once 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: Purple Heart Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Lakeview Park War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Quincy A. Gillmore (a few steps from this marker); General Quincy Adams Gillmore (a few steps from this marker); Helen Steiner Rice (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); History of Lakeview Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Monuments in Lakeview Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); David Shukait (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lorain.

Photographed by Craig Doda, February 28, 2026

3. History of The Purple Heart Medal Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, February 28, 2026

4. History of The Purple Heart Medal Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 22, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.