Feb. 22, 2020, marks 88 years since Gen. Douglas MacArthur reinstated the Purple Heart, the oldest military decoration still awarded today. The Badge of Military Merit, as it was called, fell into oblivion until 1932, when MacArthur, then Army Chief of Staff, pressed for its revival.
At first an Army award, given to those who had been wounded in World War I or who possessed a Meritorious Service Citation Certificate, the order was amended to include personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Coverage was eventually extended to include all services and "any civilian national" wounded while serving with the Armed Forces.
Credit to : Lance Cpl. Gabriel Tavarez - Communication Directorate
