douglas macarthur

1942Who was the first United States soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II?

Second Lieutenant Alexander R. Nininger Jr., born in Gainesville, Georgia and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, became the first United States soldier to receive the Medal of Honor in World War II for his extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Bataan in the Philippines. Voluntarily joining the embattled Company K, Nininger was killed in action on January 12, 1942, after single-handedly attacking enemy positions despite being wounded three times. His legacy is unique—not only was he the first among his West Point class to fall in WWII, but he remains memorialized at West Point’s Nininger Hall, on the Tablets of the Missing in Manila, and in numerous places across Florida and the nation. The 84th anniversary of his death is honored on January 12, 2026, celebrating a story of valor that continues to inspire generations.

1998What is the Purple Heart Trail?

The Purple Heart Trail is a symbolic network of roads, highways, and memorials stretching across the United States and its territories, beginning at Mount Vernon, Virginia, to honor military personnel wounded or killed in combat. Created in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, this Trail serves as a visible tribute to recipients of one of the nation’s oldest military honors—the Purple Heart Medal, whose origins trace back to General George Washington’s 'Badge of Military Merit' in 1782. Unique memorial markers, such as the monument dedicated at Mount Vernon on August 7, 1998, and the tablet at MacArthur Square in Norfolk, Virginia, connect present-day travelers to over two centuries of sacrifice and remembrance. On August 7, 2025, the Trail will mark both the 243rd anniversary of the Purple Heart’s creation and 32 years since the Trail’s first dedication.