 233 years ago, this month, General George Washington introduced the Badge of Military Merit. Today, we know it as the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart has undergone many changes since it first appeared. Following the American Revolution, the honor badge was all but forgotten, and over the span of 150 years, only three soldiers were identified as recipients of the original badge. On February 22, 1932, the badge was reintroduced as the Purple Heart Award. Originally meant to be an Army Award, it wasn't until December 1942 that President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the Navy to award the Purple Heart to sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen. It's the nation's oldest military award and one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Since 1917, nearly 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded to service members who have been wounded or killed in defense of our nation.