First Honors: Origins of the Purple Heart

36"x39" Pastel Original - Price upon request

20"x21" Giclee on Paper Ltd. Ed. (50), signed/numbered-$325

Sgt. Elijah Churchill, 2nd Cont. Dragoons

In the Fall of 1781, Sgt. Churchill led a raid against Fort Slongo, NY, and successfully destroyed artillery and munitions. For this act of singular leadership Churchill was presented with a heart shaped purple badge embroidered with the word "merit". Only three of these original awards have a record of being given. On February 22, 1932, the bicentennial of George Washington's birth, the Badge of Military Merit was redesigned and re-issued as the Purple Heart, as we know it today.