THE NATIONAL SECURITY MEDAL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP59-00882R000200330198-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 13, 2001
• Sequence Number: 198
• Publication Date: January 12, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

DRA TV
GGCT: cd Approved For Release 2002/01/02 : CIA-RDP59-00882R000200330198-3
"12 January 1953
THE ETAT AI F' U ETY , PAL
The early historical recorls of our country show j cognition of
the vital importance of obtaining, accurate lntelli;vnct for guidance
on matters of national int rest. In this connection Gcner61 Aworge
iashington in a letter to ionel Elias yton, dated July 26, 1777,
stated "The necessity of procurinZ ;nod intellit;Qvice is ap ;areat and
need not be further urged." A General Order issued Au ust 7, 1782 at
the headquarters of the Continur.tal Army, Newburg +.. Nelk York provided
that badges of distinction be conferred on veteran non-co iaaioned
officers and soldiers and provision for the award knowt as the Badge
Military Merit or the Decoration of the Purple Heart was made by the
following language:
"The General ever -desirous to cherish virtuojzs ambi-
tion in his soldiers as well as to foster and encurage
every species of Military merit directs that when4:ver arv
singularly meritorious action is performed the author of
it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over; the lit
breast the figure of a heart in r:urple cloth or silk edged
with narrow lace or finding. . . . .
"The road to glory in a patriot arry and a .i;ee coAntry
is thus open to all. This order is also to have tetrospQct
to the earliest stages of the war and to be considered as a
permanent one"
The first two Purple Wart awards wer for valor in battle. The
third Purple Hart rewarded a very ,3ifferent kind of service,, per: orneci
by Sergeant thniel Bissell through many :months, incon3picuout ly and tii
secret. In this connection ,:ndc:r t3