This Day in History: br George Washington Creates br the Purple Heart August 7, 1782 As commander in chief of the Continental Army, br Washington created the "Badge for Military Merit." Made from purple silk and designed br in the shape of a heart, the badge wasbr presented to three soldiers for their br service in the Revolutionary War. The decoration was forgotten for br decades until 1927, br when General Charles P. Summerall br attempted to revive the badge. On February 2, 1932, br the U.S. War Department instituted br the "Order of the Purple Heart." Adding to Washington's design, br the Purple Heart also contains a bust of br Washington and his coat of arms. Today, the decoration is br bestowed upon soldiers br who have been killed br or wounded in action.