Would a Purple Heart Be Awarded to a Soldier in an Accident in a Combat Zone But NOT Under Fire?

My guess is that a soldier who is injured or killed, for instance, because a truck slides off of an icy road in a combat zone would not be awarded a purple heart. Is that correct?

Would a Purple Heart Be Awarded to a Soldier in an Accident in a Combat Zone But NOT Under Fire?
Has happened. Poll the Vietnam vets for details.
Reply:Unlike other decorations and awards, the Purple Heart is something a soldier is automatically entitled to, as it is stated in AR 600-8-22, for an act or actions or things happening to them in a combat situation.


It must be shown that they have earned the Purple Heart to receive one. And it is a grueling and tedious process. But if the soldier deserves it, all the hard work on my part is worth it. And what I do for them to receive it is nothing in comparison on how they earned it.
Reply:To the people saying "There are no icey roads in Iraq" check yourself on that because there is indeed many parts of Iraq which get ice, I have seen it. Furthermore he didn't say Iraq, we are alos in Afghanistan which gets easily below 0 during the winter season.


To answer posters question, you must be under direct or indirect fire or any hostile intent and be injured or killed to recieve the Purple Heart. Thats not saying some people have slipped through the cracks on their sworn statement to get one though.
Reply:There is a story going round that two US soldiers caught a STD from a "good time girl" in Saigon. It later transprired that she was a VC agent, both soldiers put in a request for the Purple Heart, claiming that they had been "wounded" by an enemy agent. They were awarded the medal.





If any Viet-Nam Vets are aware of this story and whether it is true or false pse let us know.
Reply:It was common to issue purple hearts for the smallest of ailments not combat related during Vietnam, however, those requirements have been strengthened now to prevent re-occurrences of the John Kerry types that issued themselves medals for scratches and boo boos, in order to get transfered back to civilization.
Reply:if it was an accident, it does not warrant a Purple Heart!





Now, if the accident happened because of enemy fire or action, The local commanders will determine if it merits a Purple Heart!








There icy roads in Iraq?!
Reply:iraq doesnt have icy roads, it's a freakin desert. If it isnt something caused by the enemy then no.
Reply:Ideally, you are correct. But the world is not an ideal place.





NOTE: Hey, folks, he didn't mention Iraq! Combat can happen anywhere.
Reply:It has to be an injury or death directly related to combat action
Reply:it would not inless an act of heroism was commited (eg:1 soldger risks his life to save another)
Reply:my guess they probably would recieve it but it all depends on the circumstances I guess
Reply:NO! it must be caused by the enemy!

arenas