David Gregory, age 8, of Lansing, Mich., for his question:

WHAT IS THE PURPLE HEART?

In 1782 Gen. George Washington created the first U.S. military decoration and called it the Badge of Military Merit. In 1932 it became the Purple Heart. It is a purple heart shaped medal edged in gold with a gold bust of Washington on its surface.

Gen. Washington originally designated the metal as an award for the soldiers who displayed extraordinary bravery during the Revolutionary War.

Military people in all ranks of the armed forces are eligible to receive the Purple Heart if they are wounded or die in combat.

The Purple Heart was established as a United States Army decoration in 1932 while the United States Navy added it as one of their medals in 1942.