On August 7, 1782, the Badge of Military Merit was established by Continental Army commander-in-chief George Washington. In 1932, the badge’s original design would be used to create a new military medal, the Purple Heart. As such, August 7 is National Purple Heart Day.
The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the United States military who are wounded or killed in action. First awarded to Douglas MacArthur after its establishment, wounded veterans of World War I were subsequently able to retroactively apply for the medal. Prior to this, these veterans had been authorized to wear a wound stripe on their uniforms.
As archival researchers, some of the most profound and heartbreaking stories that we seek to uncover and preserve pertain to veterans who gave life, limb, or their physical freedom in our nation’s defense. Today we would like to share the story of a Marine who received a Purple Heart, and whose record from the National Archives at St. Louis contained quite a unique piece of his story.
Enlisting in the Marine Corps in August 1942, Bernard Fliss of Chicago, IL was assigned to Company D, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, later re-designated as the 1st Reconnaissance Company.
Seeing his first combat at New Britain in 1943-1944, he was subsequently wounded at Peleliu on September 16, 1944 when he was struck by two bullets in the lower jaw and left cheek, which broke his jaw and knocked out several teeth, requiring extensive surgical operations and plastic reconstruction. While Marine Corps records generally contain an enlistment photograph of the veteran, Fliss’ is rather unique as it also included a photo of Fliss near the time of his discharge, showing the reconstructive work done to his face as a result of his wound.
The closure of the National Archives on 13 March, 2020 means that records like this one are no longer accessible to the public. Matt LeMasters, the professional researcher who shared these images of Mr. Fliss was able to scan these records, in person at the National Archives research room in St Louis when the research center was open. Sadly, at this date in late August 2020 the archives are still completely closed to the public. As of yet there is no public plan explaining when the public -including professionals like Mr LeMaster to continue to access these records. Millions of 20th Century personnel files just like the file pictured here are physically in the custody of the National Archives which means the only way that they can be viewed is in person.
Please join the ARA and help us to ensure that historical records like these continue to be accessible to descendants of veterans and the general public once it is safe for the public to return to research facilities nationwide:
