07/31/2026
Gen. Douglas MacArthur is one of the most highly-decorated service members in U.S. history, but did you know he’s also responsible for the modern Purple Heart?
President George Washington created the Purple Heart’s precursor, the Badge of Military Merit, in 1782. But after the Revolutionary War ended, the badge faded from use for nearly 150 years.
MacArthur championed its revival while serving as Army Chief of Staff in 1932. The award was redesigned to honor those wounded or killed in combat, ensuring their sacrifice would never be forgotten. According to the U.S. Army, MacArthur was also the first to receive the new medal.
MacArthur's own military career was extraordinary. A Medal of Honor recipient, five-star General of the Army, commander in both World Wars, and leader of the United Nations forces during the Korean War, his legacy is woven into some of the most significant moments of the 20th century.