The First Ornament of the White House Gift Shop, Est. 1946 was Placed on the White House Tree Decades Ago by an Active Duty Member of the Uniformed Division of Secret Service.

Designed by Anthony Giannini, USAFR

By Design Two Companion Ornaments are Issued for 2016

Each Representing One Facet of the Powers of the President

2016 White House Ornament: George Washington: The Badge of Merit, The Order of the Purple Heart Medal, and the Liberation of Boston Shown in Background in the painting commissioned by John Hancock of Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army with White House Mirror and Interior Design Accents

* Frame and Border is Based on Motifs from Mirrors in the White House

* Portrait in Sealed Heirloom Dome

* Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army with

Hand Suggestive of Placement Over His Heart

* Handcrafted in the USA by the Official White House Ornament Maker

* Giannini Design based on Historic Moments in President and Military History

* New Commemorative Ornament in this Collection Each Year

* Special Stand for Year-Round Presentation and Ribbon for Tree Display

* Approximately 3.4" High and 3" Wide with Full Colors

* Seals of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, and Washington's Badges including

* Replica Image of the Badge for Military Merit

* Excerpt on Reverse from Washington's Order Creating the Badge of Merit

* Completely Finished in in 24-Karat Gold on Heirloom Nickel Plated Premium Brass

* History Card Included

On August 7,1782, Newburgh, New York, General George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, in his general orders announced the "Badge for Military Merit" comprised of a heart-shaped decoration of purple silk, edged with silver binding and stitched with the word Merit in silver upon its face. Washington's "Purple Heart" was awarded to only three soldiers for "singularly meritorious action." Moreover, the wearer of the badge was permitted to pass guards and sentinels "without challenge." Following the Revolutionary War, Washington's purple heart was largely forgotten and its official registry, "The Book of Merit" was lost. In 1927, General Summerall, U.S. Army Chief of Staff, submitted an unsuccessful draft bill to Congress to revive the Merit Badge. General Douglas MacArthur, however, took the cause to reinstate the medal for the bicentennial of George Washington's 200th birthday with success: On February 22, 1932, the U.S. War Department created the "Order of the Purple Heart" with new features including a bust of Washington and his coat of arms. The "Order of the Purple Heart" with its unique provenance is the oldest decoration for military merit and is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been killed, wounded in action against an enemy, or who have suffered maltreatment as prisoners of war.