Some Facts about the Purple Heart

A veteran from Gilbert, AZ who served with the US Army for more than 37 years, Colt K. Bulot belonged to the airborne infantry. He took on several responsibilities during his military career, including duties as squad leader, training NCO, and drill sergeant. Colt Bulot received numerous awards during his active service, such as the Purple Heart.

The Purple Heart is a military award given to service members who were wounded or killed while on active duty with the US military. Distinct from other military awards, those who earn it have sacrificed themselves greatly or have paid the ultimate price of combat. Here are some other facts about the Purple Heart.

1. The oldest military award still given to service members today, the Purple Heart was first known in 1780 as the Fidelity Medallion. President George Washington changed it to the Badge of Military Merit in 1782. Through the years, the Badge of Military Merit evolved to what is known today as Purple Heart.

2. The modern-day name and look of the Purple Heart is credited to Gen. Douglas MacArthur. In 1932, Gen. MacArthur worked to refresh and rename the award to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of President Washington’s birthday. The new design featured the likeness of President Washington.

3. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt defined the qualifications for eligibility to receive the Purple Heart, designating it for those who have been wounded or killed in action. Eligibility was expanded to other branches of service in the US military, and posthumous Purple Heart awards were authorized.

4.The first recipients of the Badge of Military Merit were William Brown and Elijah Churchill, who fought during the Revolutionary War. Brown served during the Siege of Yorktown while Churchill fought on Long Island. Gen. MacArthur received the first modern-day Purple Heart for his role in World War II.

Three of the Best Places for Camping in Arizona

A resident of Gilbert, AZ, Colt K. Bulot served in the Airborne Infantry of the US Army for more than 20 years. During this time he received the Purple Heart and Iraqi Freedom Medal, among other military distinction. Colt Bulot enjoys camping and spending time outdoors in his free time.

Because of its warm climate, Arizona is an ideal destination for outdoor camping. Southern cities like Tucson and Phoenix even have desert campgrounds that are warm enough for camping in the winter. Here are three of the best campgrounds in the state:

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Located near the Mexico border, this campground can best be described as a "green" desert, as it is rich with organ pipe and saguaro cacti. It has more than 200 designated camping sites and rarely ever fills up due to its remote location.

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon attracts visitors from all over the world and has several campgrounds where people can stay to watch the sunset and sunrise over the impressive natural landscape. The largest camping area in the park is South Rim, which has more than 320 sites, as well as working toilets and potable water.

Hawley Lake

Those looking to camp in an area near the water should consider Hawley Lake in McNary. The campsites there feature grills, fire rings, tables, and restrooms, while the lake itself is great for fishing. 

The Purple Heart Military Decoration

Colt K. Bulot of Gilbert, AZ, earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and has spent more than two decades as an active and reserve duty military personnel. Colt Bulot received several US Army accolades and achievement medals throughout his career and was also awarded the Purple Heart.

The Purple Heart, awarded to military personnel who have been wounded in combat and posthumously awarded to families of those who have been killed serving their country, was the first-ever military decoration in the US. It was instituted by General George Washington in 1782 but, at that point, was given to military personnel who exhibited bravery in action. Three men received the medal of honor during the American Revolution, but it wasn't awarded during the following 150 years. It was revived as part of the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth on February 22, 1932.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart was also launched that year to protect the interests of those who have received the decoration. It remains the only veterans service organization dedicated solely to combat veterans. As suggested by its name, the medal is purple in color and features a side profile depiction of Washington as a general in the Continental Army. It has bronze edges, and the back of the medal is engraved with "For Military Merit" and the recipient's name.

 

An Overview of the Combat Action Badge

A current resident of Gilbert, AZ, Colt Bulot is a veteran of the US Army, spent 35 years in the Airborne Infantry division, and received numerous commendations for his service. In addition to a Purple Heart and an Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal of Honor for his combat missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Colt K. Bulot also earned a Combat Action Badge.

Created in 2005, the Combat Action Badge (CAB) designates soldiers who personally engage with or are engaged by an enemy. The badge is not limited to any specific branch or military occupational specialty, although individuals who qualify for a Combat Infantryman Badge or a Combat Medic Badge are not eligible.

Eligibility requirements for the CAB include performing duties in an area where soldiers are eligible to receive imminent danger pay or hostile fire pay. During enemy engagement, the soldier must perform in accordance with all rules of engagement, and the event must have happened after September 18, 2001. CABs may be awarded by any commander who has been delegated that authority by the Secretary of the Army.