On this day in 1782, George Washington was the commander in chief of the Continental Army. He would not become our nation’s first president until 1789. As he led the troops through the Revolutionary War, he saw a need to recognize meritorious service. Washington’s general order concerning this award stated:
The General ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth, or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with a due reward. Before this favour can be conferred on any man, the particular fact, or facts, on which it is to be grounded must be set forth to the Commander in chief accompanied with certificates from the Commanding officers of the regiment and brigade to which the Candadate [sic] for reward belonged, or other incontestable proofs, and upon granting it, the name and regiment of the person with the action so certified are to be enrolled in the book of merit which will be kept at the orderly office. Men who have merited this last distinction to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinals [sic] which officers are permitted to do. The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all. This order is also to have retrospect to the earliest stages of the war, and to be considered as a permanent one.1
It was called The Badge of Military Merit. The wearer of this badge was trusted implicitly.
After the war, the Military Merit badge was unofficially retired. Starting in 1927, efforts began to revive the badge, however, those efforts were met with defeat. Undiscouraged, attempts were made until finally, in 1931, a redesign of the badge was introduced as well as a rebranding: The Purple Heart. General Order No. 3 issued by General Douglas MacArthur in 1932 said, “By order of the President of the United States, the Purple Heart established by General George Washington at Newburgh, August 7, 1782, during the War of the Revolution, is hereby revived out of respect to his memory and military achievements. By Order of the Secretary War: Douglas MacArthur, General, Chief of Staff.”2
By December of 1942, Executive Order 9277 declared that this award was to be given to those of all branches of service “wounded in action against an enemy of the United States, or as a result of an act of such enemy, provided such would necessitates treatment by a medical officer.”3 Other Executive Orders through the years tweaked the awarding of this medal to include Service Secretaries, those wounded by friendly fire, posthumous awards, among other changes.
“According to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, more than 1.8 million
Purple Heart medals have been presented to service members since the award was created in 1782.”4
It is with great respect and gratitude today that we acknowledge those who have been awarded the Purple Heart. But this has made me wonder. If God awarded a Purple Heart for all wounded in spiritual battles, I wonder how many there would be.
God’s Hall of Faith is recorded in Hebrews 11. The chapter concludes with these words: “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: (33) Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (34) Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. (35) Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (36) And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: (37) They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (38) (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Hebrews 11:32-38)
Throughout the pages of Scripture as well as church history, the names of wounded soldiers are recorded. This, however, is only a small sampling of the many heroes of the faith. Most names are never known nor recorded. God, though, hasn’t forgotten a single one.
We would do ourselves a wealth of good to always remember that our award ceremony happens in Heaven, not here on Earth. It’s future, not present. God keeps perfect records and will never forget that which was truly done for Him. Every wound, every scar, every hurt, and every sacrifice will be remembered if done for His glory.
Hebrews 6:10 leaves us with this promise. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badge_of_Military_Merit
2https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/General_Order_No._3_(MacArthur)
3https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-9277-award-the-purple-heart-persons-serving-with-the-navy-marine-corps-or
4https://www.uso.org/stories/2276-8-purple-heart-facts
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