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The Badge of Military Merit (pictured), the precursor to the U.S. Purple Heart, was established as a military decoration of the Continental Army.
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Badge of Military Merit
American Continental Army award
The Badge of Military Merit was an award for non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Continental Army. It is considered America's first military decoration, and the second oldest in the world. Non commissioned officers and soldiers of the Continental Army were eligible.…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Purple Heart
United States military decoration for injured or deceased service members
The Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, which took the form of a heart made of…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Military awards and decorations
Award, usually a medal of some sort, mark of honor
Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement. A decoration is often a medal consisting of a ribbon and a medallion.Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Continental Army
Colonial army during the American Revolutionary War
The Continental Army was the army of the United Colonies representing the Thirteen Colonies and later the United States during the American Revolutionary War. It was formed on June 14, 1775, by a resolution passed by the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia after…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)