Bella Vista in Benton County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Purple Heart

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 31, 2015

1. Purple Heart Marker

Inscription. In 1782 General George Washington created a new military badge for Enlisted Men and Non-Commissioned Officers called the Badge of Military Merit. This was the forerunner of the Purple Heart that we know today. The award fell into disuse until General [Douglas] MacArthur changed the award criteria. "A wound which necessitates treatment by a medical officer, and which is received in action with an enemy, may, in the judgement of the commander authorized to make the award, be construed as resulting from a singularly meritorious act of essential service."

Erected 2012 by the Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas and Many Concerned Citizens and Organizations.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Military. In addition, it is included in the Military Order of the Purple Heart series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1782.

Location. 36° 26.005′ N, 94° 13.793′ W. Memorial is in Bella Vista, Arkansas, in Benton County. It can be reached from Veterans Way. Marker is at the Veterans Wall of Honor. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 103 Veterans Way, Bella Vista AR 72714, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Northwest Arkansas,

on the Ozark Plateau,

in the Cherokee Heritage Region,

and in Osage Territory.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ozarks.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Silver Star Medal (here, next to this marker); Bronze Star Medal (here, next

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to this marker); Distinguished Flying Cross (here, next to this marker); Legion of Merit (here, next to this marker); Air Force Cross – Navy Cross – Distinguished Service Cross (here, next to this marker); Medal of Honor (here, next to this marker); United States Commanders in Chief (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named United States Commanders in Chief (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bella Vista.

Also see . . .
1. The Purple Heart. department of Veterans Affairs entry (Submitted on November 20, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

2. History of the Purple Heart. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor entry (Submitted on November 20, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

History Of The Medal image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 5, 2021

2. History Of The Medal

Military Order Of The Purple Heart website entry
Click for more information.

Valor Medals at the Veterans Wall of Honor image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 31, 2015

3. Valor Medals at the Veterans Wall of Honor

Veterans Wall of Honor, Bella Vista AR image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 31, 2015

4. Veterans Wall of Honor, Bella Vista AR

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 31, 2015

5. Veterans Wall of Honor, Bella Vista AR

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 772 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 20, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on May 8, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 20, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.