INTELLIGENCE MEDAL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP59-00882R000200330205-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 13, 2001
• Sequence Number: 205
• Publication Date: December 17, 1952
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2002/01/02 : CIA-RDP59-00882RA90200330205-4
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17 December 1952
MEMORANDUM FOR: The Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Intelligence Medal
1. In connection with the proposed Intelligence Medal, the
following historical note may be of interest.
2. As you know, the Purple Heart was established by General
Washington in 1782 apparently without statutory authority. While
the revived Purple Heart has been given for wouids in war, this
original Purple Heart was called the Honorary Badge of Distinc-
tion, otherwise known as the Badge of Military Merit. According
to the introduction of a recent book called The Road to Glory by
Arthur R. Thompson, the first two sere awarded for bravery and
leadership. The third Purple Heart went'to a Sergeant Bissell
as of June 8, 1783 and regarded a very different kind of service
performed through many months inconspicuously and in secret. The
citation begins by stating: "It hath ever been an established
maxim in the American Service that the Road to Glory was open to
all." The road of Daniel Bissell, American spy, led through ex-
tremes of peril, self-sacrifice, and the shadows of disgrace.
/s/ IAWRENCE R. HOUSTON
General Counsel
Approved For Release 2002/01/02 : CIA-RDP59-00882R000200330205-4