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Military Holidays in August

Aug 14, 2017

There are many days in August dedicated to celebrating different branches of the U.S. Military. We're delighted to highlight days of recognition of our warriors and veterans, such as, National Coast Guard Day, Purple Heart Day, National Airborne Day, and Marine Corps Reserve Birthday.

National Coast Guard Day

United States Coast Guard 1790 SealThe first national holiday of the month, August 4th, is dedicated as National Coast Guard Day. On this day in 1790, the US Coast Guard was founded as the Revenue Marine by then-Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. The Coast Guard received its present name through an act of Congress signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson on January 28, 1915. This act merged the Revenue Cutter Service with the U.S. Life-Saving Service and provided the nation with a single maritime service dedicated to saving life at sea and enforcing the nation's maritime laws.

Purple Heart Day

Purple Heart Badge inside the caseAugust 7th is Purple Heart Day. The Purple Heart was first created on August 7, 1782 by the Commander-In-Chief of the Continental Army, General George Washington. Then known as the Badge of Military Merit, it was awarded to three Revolutionary soldiers in 1783. It wasn't until 1932 that the metal was revived on the bicentennial anniversary of George Washington's birth. The Purple Heart is a U.S. military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917. It is the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members.

National Airborne Day

Special Tactics Group: Airmen JumpNational Airborne Day is recognized every year on August 16th. In 2002, President George W. Bush created the holiday commemorating the first official Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940. The history of airborne forces began after World War I, when Brigadier General William Mitchell first conceived the idea of parachuting troops into combat. During World War II, airborne tactics were critical to the success of important missions including the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. Airborne tactics remain a vital role in military combat missions today.

Marine Corps Reserve Birthday

Department of the Navy: United States Marine Corps SealAugust 29th is the Marine Corps Reserve Birthday. The mission of the Marine Corps Reserve is to augment and reinforce active Marine forces in time of war, national emergency or contingency operations, to provide personnel and operational tempo relief for the active forces in peacetime, and to serve the community. It was established when Congress passed the Naval Appropriations Act on August 29, 1916.

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