Welcome to the Bakersfield Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), begun in 1952 and chartered by Congress in 1958, is composed of military men and women who receivedthe Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat. Although our membership is restricted to the combat wounded, MOPH provides support to all veterans, has scholarship programs for members and their families, maintains continuous liaison with members of Congress on key issues related to veterans, publishes The Purple Heart Magazine, and hosts a myriad of activities at the local level by its Chapters throughout the country. MOPH is proud of its long heritage that began with General Washington giving three of his soldiers a Badge of Military Merit, a cloth purple heart, during the Revolutionary War and continues today as we recognize, honor and support all veterans from each of America’s wars.