The Badge of Military Merit, the first United States Decoration, was established in Newburgh, New York, on August 7, 1782, by General George Washington to honor his soldiers for extraordinary bravery in the Revolutionary War. After the Revolutionary War, no more American soldiers received the Badge of Military Merit. Though others sought to have the medal reinstituted, it was General Douglas MacArthur who reopened the cause to have a new medal issued on the bicentennial of George Washington’s birthday. In 1932, the president revived the Badge of Military Merit as the Purple Heart. The War Department in 1941 reserved the award for those wounded in combat action, an individual decoration that does not require the individual to be recommended for the decoration. Instead, they must meet specific criteria to receive the award. Thousands of combat veterans are recipients of this award. Perhaps few, if any, have been shown any appreciation for being wounded in defense of their country or any gratitude for the hardship that followed.
Wounded for Me
Both prophecies were fulfilled when the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on Calvary’s cross. Not only was He wounded for me, but He also died for me. When Jesus had received the vinegar, He said, “It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:3030When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)). Yes, He died for me, “for when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-86For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6‑8)). The Lord Jesus was wounded for me, He died for me, and, last of all, He is coming for me: “I go to prepare a place for you. ... I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-32In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3)).