Purple Heart
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 these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary • War, Vietnam • War, World II. 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. Marker is in Bella Vista, Arkansas, in Benton County. Marker is at the Veterans Wall of Honor. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 Veterans Way, Bella Vista AR 72714, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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
Also see . . .
1. The Purple Heart. department of Veterans Affairs entry (Submitted on November 20, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. History of the Purple Heart. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor entry (Submitted on November 20, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 562 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 20, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 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 Scranton, Pennsylvania.