ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART

Evening Star, Issue 21092, 3 May 1932, Page 4

ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART

By its recent action reviving Washington’s Order of the Purple Heart, the War Department has made it possible for some grizzled general in the future to address a heroic soldier in these words:— “ You have done honour to-day to tlie army and younr country. Here is the Purple Heart that 1 myself won years ago.” Is it specifically provided in the regulations covering the award of the decoration that it may be conferred by the commanders of divisions and higher units upon the field of tattle, so that it will be possible tor a general to give concrete recognition to bravery and fidelity almost immediately after the event? (says the New York ‘ Times ’). Heretofore this has not been the case. The Medal o) Honour, the U.S.A.’s highest military decoration, requires Congressional action lor its award. Deeds considered worthy ot the Distinguished Se'vice Cross must be considered by a nilitary board before its bestowal is ipproved. These processes inevitably ;onsuiue time, delaying concrete recognition of bravery. As a matter of fact, a medal of honour was awarded as late as 1931 for valour in tho World War, md citations for the Distinguished Servie Cross, originating in the same struggle, are still being made. Wihile the Wir Department has not specifically inlioated the relative position of the iew decoration, it is apparent from itsdefinition of the services it may rewird that it will rank third among Unied States medals for military valour, <t which there are now five, including lie Distinguished Service Medal and die Soldier’s Medal. It is announced flat tho Purple Heart may be given h “ persons who, while serving iu the army ot the United States” performany singularly meritorious act of extflorclinary fidelity or essential service.’ ~ x A note to his statement says that a wound recefed in action may be icgarded as an evidence of such service. It is specififllly provided .that the Purple Heart will be awarded to men wounded in die IVorld War, and to those who pceived bravery citations without specie decorations Irom General Perslungin this conflict.