THe Purple heart

 According to the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, the Purple  Heart Medal is both the nation’s oldest and one of the most recognized and  respected medals that is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces. In 1782,  General George Washington introduced the “Badge of Military Merit” which is now  known as the Purple Heart. On the anniversary of President George Washington’s  200th birthday, February 22, 1932, the Purple Heart Medal was reintroduced. The  back of the medal features the words, “For Military Merit,” engraved. The front  of the medal features George Washington’s profile placed on a purple heart with a  gold border.  When the Purple Heart medal was reintroduced, it was awarded to the U.S.  Army. It was awarded to men and women in the U.S. Army that were wounded or  killed in action with the enemy. The wounds required treatment by a medical  officer and must have been considered a deserving action of the award which was  faithful to the cause. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the  Purple Heart to be given to all military members. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan authorized the medal could be given in the event of terrorist attacks or peace  keeping missions.