The official order of General Washington, establishing the first American decoration, was issued from his headquarters on August 7, 1782. At the same time, he expressed his fundamental awards philosophy, which read, in part: “The General, ever desirous to cherish a virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to 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.”