"Combat Wounded Veterans"
Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter #1
History of Chapter #1 continued

AFTER THE CONVENTION
  • On October 9, the local newspaper Evening Sentinel editorialized, "By holding such as successful first national convention the new (Purple Heart) order has gotten off to a good start".
  • Led by the National Committees, the Purple Heart Association increased over 100% between its first convention at the Sterling Opera House on October 6 and 7, 1933, and its second convention held at the War Memorial Building in Trenton, NJ, October 12 - 14, 1934. ( Tercentenary Pictorial and History of the Lower Naugatuck Valley , by Leo Molloy, published by Emerson Brothers Ansonia, CT: 1935, p.240). Fourth Jr. Vice Commander Howard J. Lepper of East Orange, NJ, was elected the new National Commander of the Purple Heart Association ( The New York Times, October 15, 1934, "Lepper Heads Purple Heart", p.19), replacing Frank J. Cushner of Ansonia, at the 1934 convention.
  • By 1935, the Purple Heart Association had changed its name to the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) of the United States of America, Inc. ( Tercentenary Pictorial and History of the Lower Naugatuck Valley , p.239). It retains the name to this day.
  • The Military Order of the Purple Heart of the United States of America, Inc. was chartered by Congress in H.R. 13558, which became Public Law 85-761, Aug. 26, 1958. It is the only veterans' organization chartered by Congress exclusively for combat-wounded veterans.
  • Today, the MOPH has over 400 chapters and 35,000 members across the United States of America.

CONTRIBUTING RESOURCES

Books:

  • Molloy, Leo T. Tercentenary Pictorial and History of the Lower Naugatuck Valley ; Emerson Brothers Press, Inc; Ansonia, CT: 1935

Newspapers:

The Bridgeport Post

  • "National Commander and Mayor Address Opening Session of Veterans Convention - Purple Heart Members Gather in Derby for Sessions - Parade Saturday"; October 6, 1933, page 10.
  • "Purple Heart Association Reelects Cushner Head"; October 7, 1933, page 2.
  • "50,000 Witness Veterans Parade"; October 8, 1933, page 1.

The Evening Sentinel (Ansonia, CT)

  • "Cities Take on Gala Attire for Convention Friday and Saturday"; October 4, 1933
  • "Welcome Purple Heart Delegates - Purple Heart First National Convention Opens in Derby at Sterling Theater---Big Attendance"; October 6, 1933, page 1.
  • "Frank Cushner, Ex-Marine, Founded Purple Heart Association; October 6, 1933, page 7
  • "Convention Program" October 6, 1933, page 7.
  • "Notes of Interest Gathered at Purple Heart Convention"; October 6, 1933, page 7.
  • "Big Purple Heart Parade in 3 Towns This Afternoon"; October 7, 1933, page 1.
  • "Purple Heart Auxiliary Installed Last Evening"; October 7, 1933; page 7.
  • "Convention Notes of Purple Heart"; October 7, 1933; page 7.
  • "Purple Heart National Convention an Impressive Success"; October 9, 1933; page 6.
  • "Thousands Witnessed Purple Heart Pageant on Saturday"; October 9, 1933; page 8.
  • "Purple Heart Convention Closes With Banquet Program"; October 9, 1933; page 8.
  • "Cushner Renamed Purple Heart National Commander"; October 9, 1933; page 8.
  • "Frank H. Gates Donates Colors To George Washington Chapter Purple Heart Association" October 10, 1934.

The Hartford Courant

  • "Cushner Again to Head Purple Heart Veterans" (AP); October 7, 1933; page 4.

The New Haven Evening Register

  • "Purple Heart Vets Assemble in Derby - First National Convention of Organization Gets Underway at Sterling Theater"; October 6, 1933; page 14.
  • "Crowds Await Big Parade of Purple Hearts"; October 7, 1933; page 1.
  • "Big Parade Climaxes Purple Heart Session" October 8, 1933, page 1.

The New Haven Journal-Courier

  • "Purple Heart Members Open Big Convention"; October 6, 1933; page 18.
  • "Purple Heart Convention to Close Tonight"; October 7, 1933; page 15
  • "Derby"; October 9, 1933; page 18.

The New York Times

  • "Lepper Heads Purple Heart"; October 15, 1934, page 19.
  • "Heads Purple Heart Group"; October 20, 1934, page 25.

The Waterbury American

  • "Purple Hearts Meet in Derby - First National Convention in History Opens Today" (AP) October 6, 1933, page 1.

The Waterbury Republican

  • "Cusher Again to Head Purple Heart Veterans" (AP); October 7, 1933, page 4.
  • "Parade Ends Purple Heart Convention" (AP); October 8, 1933