Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-25

Tree country - open
to ALL"
The road to the par
ticular kind of glory to which Gen.
George Washington had reference
when he wrote the foregoing words
was opened to but three soldiers
during the Revolutionary War, II ex-
isting records are complete, and
none has trod it since.
The way for Others to share this
glory-after the lapse Of almost $50
years-is about to be opened by the
War Department, under q special
recommendation of the general stan
Of the Army.
The glory is that provided for IN
O historic general order creating
Americas first military decoration,
the Honorary Badge Of Military
Merit of the Purple Heart.
Hallowed Government records
show that this coveted decoration
was conferred on a trio Of heroic
non-commissioned officers Of the
Continental Army for extraordinary
deeds of valor.
The proud wearers of the Purple
Heart passed into oblivion, and so
did the order establishing the deco
ration, although the document, as
resurrected some years ago, states
clearly the order is ito be consid-
cred as permanent one"
DERHAPS no need for invoking
the order was felt during the
subsequent wars in the early history
Of our country, and eventually the
decoration was almost forgotten.
Historians, from time to time, have
found mention of the badge in Pc
rusing Washington's papers, but the
War Department failed to note that
authority still existed for its award.
Then came the World War, with
military heroism running rampant
I'm Americas modern Army of pa
triots. Valor on a grand scale re-
quired recognition on grand scale.
But certain restrictions on the
award of congressional medals Of
honor and distinguished service
crosses and medals prevented the
decoration Of many men who per-
formed acts of fortitude and bravery
and trust that were worthy Of spe-
Cdal recognition.
Gen. Pershing, wholly unaware Of
the existence of the Purple Heart
decoration, tells in his story Of the
war how he repeatedly sought 70
have q special award created for the
unsung heroes outside the scope Of
congressional medals and distin-
guished service crosses.
Now that the war is over. however,
the general staff has discovered ths
reason exists for withholding Of mod'
under the origin Purple Heart Ord
by Gen. Washington on August 2, III
ingly, q recommendation has been m
Secretary of War that the Revolution
Of honor be revived as a reward
meritorious services both in peace an,
is understood the recommendation '
proved.
The general order which is to be
and adapted to the needs Of this ad
describes in detail the design Of
badge and how 1t shall be awarded.
1.-The general, ever DESTROYS to che
tuous ambition in his soldiers, as
foster and encourage every species I
merit, directs that whenever any
meritorious action is performed, the
1t shall be permitted to wear on t
over his left breast, the figure Of
purple cloth or silk. edged with narr
binding
Not only instances of unusual gal
also of extraordinary fidelity and esse
Toe IN any way shall meet with o d
Before this favor can be conferred on
the particular fact, or facts, on viii
be grounded must be set forth to
mander in chief, accompanied with
from the commanding officers of tn
and brigade to which the candidate
belonged, or other incontestable D
upon granting it, the name and n
the person with the action so certii
be enrolled in the book of merit
be kept at the orderly ONCE.
Men who have merited this last
20 be suffered to pass all guards an
which officers are permitted to do.
The road to glory In q patriot a