Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-16
STAFF MAY REVIVE
WASAINGTONORDER
Need Mentioned by PerShing
Reveals Recommendation
for Military Awards.
BY REX COLLIER.

The "Order Of the Purple Heart" q
decoration for military gallantry, found
I'd by George washington during the
Revolutionary War, may be revived by
the War Department as a special rec
ignition of neritorious service not
otherwise eligible for reward.
Gen. Pershing's mention in his war
story of the need for such a special
decoration has brought to light a rec
ornmendation of the general staff that
the Revolutionary medal be restored to
the list of Government decorations for
conspicuous service.
"a just regard for highly meritorius
services requires recognition Of signal
accomplishments both in peace and in
war" statement from the Office of
the chief Of staff points out.
Order Never Revoked.
''While various decorations have been
provided for heroism and distinguished
service in war, there is no adequate way
of awarding those who perform acts or
service In peace and in war, which,
while highly meritorius, are not includ-
ed in the categories contemplated in the
law for providing for the award of dec
orations.
"Washington first recognized this
need and established the military medal
to be awarded for conspicuous fidelity.
He created as a decoration the order
of the Purple Heart as an award for
military merit. His order has never
been revoked, but it has not been OBJ
served since his own period as COM
mander in chief. A recommendation
has been made by the general stan for
its restoration"
THE GENERAL staff has a conv of Wash
ington'S general order establishing the
decoration. 1t is dated August z, 1882,
and reads:
'sThe General, ever DESTROYS to cher
ish q virtuous ambition in his soldiers,
as well as to foster and encourage every
species of military merit, directs that
whenever any singularly meritorious &C
ton Is performed, the author Of 1t shall
be permitted to wear on his facings
over the left breast, the figure of heart
IN purple cloth or silk, edged with mar
row lace or binding. Not only instances
Of unusual gallantry, but also extraor-
binary fidelity and essential service IN
any way shall meet with due reward.
Made Permanent Order.
before this favor can be conferred
on any man the particular fact, or
facts. on which 1t is to be grounded
must be set forth to the commander in
chief accompanied with certificates from
the commanding officers of the regi-
ment and brigade to which the candi-
date for reward belonged, or other in
contestable proofs. and upon granting
Il, the name and regiment Of the per-
son with the action so certified are to
be enrolled in the book Of merit which
win be kept at the orderly Office. Men
who have merited this last distinction
- - - all aeSc avaA
gentinels which officers are permitted
to do.
THE road 10 glory in patriot army
and 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"
Apparently this badge was bestowed
but rarely during the revolution. So
far IS existing records show, only three
American soldiers ever received it. They
were Sergt Daniel Bissel Of the and
Connecticut Regiment, Continental
Army: Sergt. Daniel Brown Of the 5th
Connecticut Regiment. Continental
Army, and Sergt. Elijah Churchill Of
the End Continental Dragons, also a
Connecticut organization.
From papers now in the Library of
Congress and elsewhere the story Of the
exploits of these early heroes has been
reconstructed py John .. FITZPATRICK, an
authority on Washingto niana. now with
the George washington Bicentennial
Commission, but formerly assistant
chief Of the manuscript division Of the
Library Of Congress.
SeTgts. Churchill and Brown were
decorated for heroism in action, while
Sergt Bissel won his award for daring
and efficiency as . spy.
Citation Of Sergeant.
sergt ChurchilIs citation. dated May
!, 1888, and signed by Lieut.. Col.
Jonathan Trumbull, IT., Is among the
Washington papers in the Library Of
Congress. 1t states that Whereas 1t
hath ever been an established maxim in
the American service that the road to
glory was open to all. that honorary
rewards and distinctions were the great
est stimuli to virtuous actions, and
that distinguished merit should not pass
unnoticed or unrewarded; and, whereas
q hoard of officers have re-
ported in the words following: That
Sergt. Churchill Of the I'd Regiment of
Light Dragons, In the several enter
prlses against Fort st. George and Fort
Glongo on Long Island, in their opinion
acted q very conspicuous and singularly
meritorious part; that at the head of
each body of attack he not only &C.