Information and questions about the Purple Heart were posted on several lists. I hope I have managed to reach everyone with a question. The URL for the official history of the Purple Heart is http://www.purpleheart.org/history.htm. This is the official web site of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, an officially recognized veteran's organization. The following is extracted from a longer recitation compiled from U.S. Army Official Historical Records. There were two awards created by Washington. One was a badge of merit "in the form of a chevron to be worn on the left sleeve of the uniform coat for the rank and file who had completed three years of duty 'with bravery, fidelity and good conduct.'" This award was much like the modern Good Conduct Medal. The Badge of Military Merit, which evolved into what we now call the Purple Heart, was to be awarded for "any singularly meritorious action." In answer to the previous questions about whether there were two awards, the answer is Yes. In answer to the question, Were there only three Badges of Military Merit awarded, the answer is again, Yes. There were as many of the awards of Merit for three years of honorable and faithful service as there were soldiers who met the criteria. I hope that answers the questions and clears up some of your genealogical queries. Arthur McGinley mcginley@chartertn.net --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "It is God's job to forgive Usama bin Laden. It is the job of the Marines and Special Forces to arrange the face-to-face meeting."