1369: "Purple Heart Day"
Interesting Things with JC #1369: "Purple Heart Day" – There’s no ceremony for being wounded in war. Just a medal, a memory, and the silence that follows. On August 7, we remember what it costs to come home, and who didn’t.
Curriculum - Episode Anchor
Episode Title: Purple Heart Day
Episode Number: 1369
Host: JC
Audience: Grades 9–12, college intro, homeschool, lifelong learners
Subject Area: U.S. History, Civics, Military History, Social Studies
Lesson Overview
By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:
Define the historical origins and criteria of the Purple Heart medal.
Compare the original Badge of Military Merit with the modern Purple Heart.
Analyze the societal and emotional impact of military service and sacrifice.
Explain the symbolism and legacy associated with Purple Heart Day.
Key Vocabulary
Purple Heart (/ˈpɝː.pəl hɑːrt/): A United States military decoration awarded to those wounded or killed in service. Example: “He earned a Purple Heart after being wounded in combat.”
Badge of Military Merit (/bædʒ əv ˈmɪl.əˌtɛr.i ˈmɛr.ɪt/): An original U.S. military award created by George Washington in 1782 for exceptional service by enlisted soldiers.
Enlisted (/ɪnˈlɪstɪd/): Non-officer members of the military who have joined through voluntary service.
Sniper (/ˈsnaɪ.pɚ/): A military marksman who shoots from a concealed position.
Shrapnel (/ˈʃræp.nəl/): Fragments from an exploding bomb, shell, or mine.
Narrative Core
Open: The episode opens with a solemn reflection: “There’s no parade. No cheering.” It immediately evokes reverence and gravity around the Purple Heart.
Info: Historical background is provided, tracing the origins of the award to George Washington’s Badge of Military Merit in 1782.
Details: The episode details how the award evolved, especially its re-establishment by Douglas MacArthur in 1932 and policy changes in WWII under President Roosevelt.
Reflection: JC offers a deeply personal connection through the story of his grandfather, Sergeant Nicholas Marinaccio, whose service in WWII earned him two Purple Hearts.
Closing: Ends with a call to remember and reflect on the meaning of sacrifice: “These are interesting things, with JC.”
Side-by-side image of two heart-shaped military honors: the original dark purple embroidered "Badge of Military Merit" from 1782, and the modern Purple Heart medal featuring George Washington’s profile. Blurred American flag in the background. Text reads: “Interesting Things with JC #1369 – Purple Heart Day.”
Transcript
There’s no parade. No cheering. And the Purple Heart doesn’t come with applause. It comes in a velvet box, often delivered with a folded note and the name of someone who didn’t come home.
You don’t earn it by climbing the ranks or collecting achievements. You get it because something happened, and you stayed in the fight.
August 7th is Purple Heart Day. It’s not a federal holiday. There’s no day off, no celebration. But if you’ve worn the uniform, or if someone you love has, you know what this medal stands for.
It goes back to the Revolution. In 1782, George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit. It wasn’t for officers. It was for enlisted soldiers, ordinary men who had done something exceptional.
The badge was made of purple cloth, cut in the shape of a heart, and trimmed with silver binding. No metal. No ribbon. It was sewn directly onto a soldier’s uniform.
Washington awarded only three: Sergeants Elijah Churchill, William Brown, and Daniel Bissell Jr. And after the war, the idea was set aside. No more were made for nearly 150 years.
That changed in 1932, on Washington’s 200th birthday. Army Chief of Staff Douglas MacArthur revived the idea. He reintroduced it as the Purple Heart, purple enamel, gold trim, and Washington’s profile at the center. At first, it was awarded for merit within the Army.
Then came World War II. In 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt changed the rules. From then on, the Purple Heart would go only to those wounded or killed by enemy action, across every branch of service. And it became what it is now, a symbol of what it costs to serve when your country calls.
More than 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded. Some to soldiers hit by gunfire or shrapnel. Some to prisoners of war. Many to families, because the one who earned it didn’t come back.
You can look at names like Charles Murray, wounded in France. Cornelius Charlton, who gave his life in Korea. Jason Dunham, a Marine in Iraq, who threw himself on a grenade to protect his men.
And then there’s one name I’ll never forget, Sergeant Nicholas Marinaccio. My grandfather.
He fought in the Pacific with the U.S. Army during World War II. From Guadalcanal to Bougainville (boo-gan-vil), through the Philippines and beyond, he carried a flamethrower into combat. They didn’t give instructions. They just pointed to a bunker or building, and he cleared it.
One of his last battles was in Manila. His unit was ordered to take back City Hall. The fighting was block by block, then room by room. They reached the second floor, cut a hole in the boards, and told him to fire down to clear the first. That’s how they retook the building. That kind of memory doesn’t fade.
Later that day, as his fire team was leaving the area, a sniper shot him from behind. The bullet passed through his shoulder. It was the second time he’d been shot during the war. He remembered the pain, but more than that, the sound. He said it was like hearing a jug of milk poured out. It was his own blood.
He survived. He came home. He married the girl he’d written to during the war. Together, they raised eight kids. He didn’t talk much about the war, but the medals were there, reminders of what he carried. He earned two Purple Hearts.
And here’s something most people don’t know. A lot of Purple Hearts being awarded today were made in 1945.
The U.S. had prepared for a full-scale invasion of Japan and expected massive losses. Over 500,000 medals were produced. That invasion never happened. The war ended with two atomic bombs. Those medals sat in storage. Decades later, they’re still being handed out.
So a Marine wounded in Afghanistan in 2012 might have received a medal made before his grandfather was born. The same metal. The same war stock. Passed from one generation of sacrifice to another.
On Purple Heart Day, you might see flags at half-staff. A building lit in purple. Or names read aloud, one by one. But even if none of that happens where you are, you can still stop for a minute. You can remember what it meant to be wounded in uniform, and who paid that price.
This isn’t about politics. It isn’t about party lines or slogans. It’s about Americans who stepped into danger when their country asked.
Some came home. Some didn’t. But all gave more than most of us will ever be asked to give.
They didn’t chase medals. They followed orders. They stood their ground. And they honored the country that sent them.
These are interesting things, with JC.
Student Worksheet
What was the original purpose of the Badge of Military Merit created by George Washington?
In what year was the Purple Heart reintroduced, and by whom?
Why were hundreds of thousands of Purple Hearts produced in 1945?
Who was Sergeant Nicholas Marinaccio, and what role did he play in WWII?
Describe how the Purple Heart has evolved in purpose from 1782 to the present.
Teacher Guide
Estimated Time: 45–60 minutes
Pre-Teaching Vocabulary Strategy:
Contextual definition via sentence prediction
Frayer models for “merit,” “sacrifice,” and “enlisted”
Visual analysis of Purple Heart medal images and historical artifacts
Anticipated Misconceptions:
Assuming the medal is awarded for valor rather than injury
Misunderstanding who is eligible for the medal (not officers only)
Confusing the Purple Heart with other awards like the Medal of Honor
Discussion Prompts:
What makes an act worthy of national recognition?
How does personal sacrifice contribute to national identity?
Should schools spend more time teaching about military service?
Differentiation Strategies:
ESL: Use bilingual glossaries and visual timelines
IEP: Offer guided notes and audio narration
Gifted: Research the lives of individual Purple Heart recipients and present findings
Extension Activities:
Interview a veteran or create a documentary-style tribute
Write a short fictional narrative from the point of view of a Purple Heart recipient
Create a historical timeline from the Badge of Military Merit to today
Cross-Curricular Connections:
Ethics: Examine the moral weight of national service and recognition
Civics: Explore how citizens and governments remember military service
Language Arts: Practice memoir or oral history storytelling techniques
Quiz
What was the original version of the Purple Heart called?
A. Medal of Valor
B. Badge of Military Merit
C. Washington’s Medal
D. Army Honor Patch
Answer: BIn what year was the Purple Heart reestablished?
A. 1942
B. 1918
C. 1932
D. 2001
Answer: CWho changed the rules in 1942 to designate the Purple Heart only for those wounded or killed?
A. George Marshall
B. Douglas MacArthur
C. Franklin Roosevelt
D. Harry Truman
Answer: CWhy were so many Purple Hearts made in 1945?
A. For WWII propaganda
B. In preparation for an invasion of Japan
C. To celebrate victory in Europe
D. For sale to collectors
Answer: BWhich family member of JC received two Purple Hearts?
A. His uncle
B. His father
C. His grandfather
D. His cousin
Answer: C
Assessment
Explain how the meaning of the Purple Heart has evolved since 1782.
Reflect on how personal stories, like JC’s grandfather’s, shape our understanding of national service.
3–2–1 Rubric
3 = Accurate, complete, thoughtful
2 = Partial or missing detail
1 = Inaccurate or vague
Standards Alignment
U.S. Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.3: Analyze how the author unfolds a series of ideas or events.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.2: Determine the central ideas of a primary or secondary source.
C3.D2.His.1.9-12: Evaluate how historical events and individuals shaped the present.
CTE.HSS.9.2: Analyze cultural and historical influences on social systems.
ISTE 1.3b: Students evaluate the accuracy, perspective, and credibility of sources.
International Equivalents
AQA History GCSE (Paper 2): Wider World Depth Studies – Conflict and Tension
IB DP History HL/SL: 20th Century Authoritarian States and Conflicts
Cambridge IGCSE History (0470): Depth Study: The Second World War
Show Notes
This episode of Interesting Things with JC explores the solemn and deeply personal significance of the Purple Heart medal, tracing its roots from George Washington’s 1782 Badge of Military Merit to its present-day recognition of combat injuries and fatalities. Through historical milestones and the moving story of JC’s grandfather, students are invited to consider how symbols of sacrifice help societies remember the cost of war. The episode is ideal for fostering reflection on national identity, civic duty, and the enduring legacy of military service.
References
U.S. Army Center of Military History. (n.d.). The Purple Heart. https://history.army.mil/Research/Reference-Topics/Purple-Heart/
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. (n.d.). History of the Purple Heart. https://www.thepurpleheart.com/history/
Department of Defense. (2021). The Purple Heart: America's Oldest Medal. https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/1650949/the-purple-heart-americas-oldest-medal/
