Commuters traveling over Interstate 95 south of Washington, D.C., crossing the Occoquan River have to drive across the Purple Heart Bridge.

The Purple Heart, established by Gen. George Washington at Newburgh, N.Y., Aug. 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War, is the oldest military decoration in the world. During the fight for independence from the British crown, Washington realized the importance of the common soldier. He decided to recognize outstanding valor and merit by granting commissions or an advance in rank to his soldiers. During the summer of 1782, however, he was ordered by the Continental Congress to cease doing so, because there were no funds to pay the soldiers.

Without this means of reward, he searched for a substitute.

Shortly after receiving the "stop" order from Congress, he wrote General Orders of Aug. 7, 1782, which said: "The General, ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers as well as foster and encourage every species of military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings, over his left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with due reward... The name and regiment of the persons so certified are to be enrolled in a Book of Merit which shall be kept in the orderly room. Men who have merited this distinction to be suffered to pass all guards and sentinels which officers are permitted to do... The order to be retroactive to the earliest stages of the war, and to be a permanent one. The road to glory in a patriot army and a free country is thus open to all." After the revolution was complete and a new country born, the orders were lost or misfiled for almost 150 years among the War Department Records at Washington, D.C.

During a search for Washington's papers prior to the celebration of his Bicentennial in 1932, the Order was rediscovered. On Feb. 22, 1932, the U.S. War Department revived the Purple Heart decoration. The revived form is of metal, instead of cloth, made in the shape of a purple heart bordered with gold, with a bust of Washington in the center and the Washington coat-of-arms at the top.

To fashion the award, 19 separate operations are required to make it from the rough heart stamped from bronze to the finished medal, plated with gold and enameled in various colors, suspended from a purple and white ribbon.

According to AR 600-8-22, dated Feb. 25, 1995, "The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded:

(1) In any action against an enemy of the United States.
(2) In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged.
(3) While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
(4) As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces.
(5) As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force.
(6) After 28 March 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of the Army, or jointly by the Secretaries of the separate armed Services concerned if persons from more than one service are wounded in the attack.
(7) After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force."