Here's an interesting piece of military history I just learned today.
In the months prior to the planned November 1945 launch of "Operation Downfall" (the U.S. invasion of Japan) strategists put American casualty estimates between 250,000 (conservative) and 1,000,000 (liberal).
The War Department therefore ordered 500,000 Purple Heart medals in anticipation of the slaughter.
Fortunately, the Manhattan Project gave us the A-Bomb, and "Operation Downfall" was not needed, thus saving hundreds of thousands of American and Japanese lives.
And what became of all those Purple Hearts? They're still in a warehouse in Washington, DC. They've been used for every Purple Heart recipient since.
Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Gulf War, Iraqi Liberation, other military engagements - all recipients of the Purple Heart got their medal from the WWII stash.
They're still handing them out today.
Hiya tx. Nice piece of history.
Very interesting bit of history!
WOW tx!! Thanks for that info. I am planning to do a Purple Heart thread in the near future, but haven't done any research as yet...!!