A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDALS

摘要

The tradition of awarding medals to America's military men and women dates to the American Revolution. On Aug. 7, 1782, Gen. George Washington established the first authorized US military decoration―the Badge of Military Merit. It was a piece of cloth in the shape of a heart. The nation used it to recognize unusual gallantry or extraordinary fidelity. During the Revolutionary War, the Badge of Military Merit was awarded to only three soldiers, in recognition of their singular meritorious actions. The wearers were allowed to pass guards and sentinels without challenge. No more awards of this type were made until 1932, when the practice was revived by Gen. Douglas Mac-Arthur, then Army Chief of Staff, who proposed a new medal to mark the bicentennial of the birth of George Washington.