Exactly 233 years ago on August 7, 1782 General George Washington - then the Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army - created the "Badge for Military Merit", also referred to as Badge for Merit, by order at his New Burgh, New York Headquarters. The decoration consisted of a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk, edged with a narrow binding of silver, with the word 'Merit' stitched across the face in silver. Next to the awarding of the badge, the honoree's name and regiment were also recorded in the Book of Merit.According to evidence, there are only three soldiers known to have been decorated with the award:
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