08/09/2026
8.7.2026. Stewart County Purple Heart Ceremony hosted by Dover TN Squadron 72, Sons of The American Legion. We would like to apologize for such short notice, but we wanted to recognize and honor the men and women of our United States Armed Forces who received the Purple Heart.
A small crowd gathered inside the Stewart Co. Visitors Center to honor and remember those who have served and are still serving who have received a Purple Heart. Squadron 72 member Jerry Reynolds opened the ceremony with a prayer, Jamie Morrow-Unit 72 Auxiliary member, led those in attendance with the National Anthem, and Squadron Commander Don Bailey spoke about the history of the Purple Heart and a few recipients of the Purple Heart;
At his headquarters in Newburgh, New York, on August 7, 1782, General George Washington devised two new badges of distinction for enlisted men and noncommissioned officers. The second badge, for "any singularly meritorious Action," was the "Figure of a Heart in Purple Cloth or Silk edged with narrow Lace or Binding." This device, the Badge of Military Merit, was affixed to the uniform coat above the left breast and permitted its wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge and to have his name and regiment inscribed in a Book of Merit. The Badge specifically honored the lower ranks, where decorations were unknown in contemporary European Armies. As Washington intended, the road to glory in a patriot army is thus open to all.
About 1.07 million Purple Hearts were awarded during World War II, more than were awarded in all of the other conflicts of the 20th century combined.
Chief Nurse Beatrice Mary MacDonald was assigned to a British Clearing Hospital in Belgium during World War I. In 1917, she lost her right eye when German aircraft bombed her hospital. She received the Purple Heart for her wounds in 1936, retroactively making her the first woman to earn the award. She was also the first woman to earn the Distinguished Service Cross. MacDonald served with the Army in Belgium and France for the rest of the war.
One of the most famous civilians to earn the Purple Heart was Ernie Pyle, a war correspondent who covered World War II from the trenches of Europe before being killed in the Battle of Okinawa.
Audie Murphy received the Purple Heart three times during World War II. He also received every combat award for valor available from the Army — including the Medal of Honor — as well as French and Belgian awards for heroism.
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Reckless, a horse, received the Purple Heart twice for wounds she received in combat during the Korean War.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is in New Windsor, New York.
At the conclusion of the ceremony Purple Heart Flags, along with the U.S. Armed Forces Flags, and our National Flag were placed in front of the Visitors Center for one week. More than 1.8 million American service members have been awarded the Purple Heart, either having been wounded or killed-in-action. These brave heroes are deserving of our deepest thanks and gratitude. Today’s ceremony is just a token of our appreciation for all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, who have served, and who are serving in our Armed Forces Today. (Thank you to Jamie Morrow for the suggestion and photos and thank you to Jody Batton for photos too).
