Does a soldier who gets psychological damage(injury) from battle deserve a purple heart?

The Purple Heart, as stated in regulations, is for Physical injury only.


I contend EVERY soldier who returns from combat has sustained some level of psychological trauma, some get over it some don't. That's why civilian re-entry programs are so important. If we gave one out to every psychologically damaged Vet it would diminish the price those who earned it with blood heroically paid.

Does a soldier who gets psychological damage(injury) from battle deserve a purple heart?
no....





phsyical ? yes
Reply:No... nor should they. I think quite a few soldiers suffer psychological damage in one form or another.





If you think about awards being "above and beyond"... giving someone a psychological damage award would not only be an embarrassment to wear on ones uniform (I wouldn't), everyone would have it and hence, it would mean nothing.
Reply:Whether he deserves it or not you only get a Purple Heart for physical injuries received in battle.





Too many complexities here, even with physical injuries things aren't always clear. Example: A mortar round impacts nearby, two soldiers are injured, one man gets his leg blown off, another gets hit in the shoulder with a fragment the size of a BB which results in only a bandage cut. Who's the more deserving? They're both eligible.
Reply:No, but he deserves the proper medical treatment.





My husband received the Purple Heart for a concussion. He also broke a rib during the same attack.
Reply:According to Army Regulations, Battle Fatigue and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder do not qualify someone for the Purple Heart.





Paragraph 2-8, Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 25 February 1995, Paragraph B





B. While clearly an individual decoration, the Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not "recommended" for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria.





1. A Purple Heart is authorized for the first wound suffered under conditions indicated above, but for each subsequent award an Oak Leaf Cluster will be awarded to be worn on the medal or ribbon. Not more than one award will be made for more than one wound or injury received at the same instant or from the same missile, force, explosion, or agent.


2. A wound is defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or agent sustained under one or more of the conditions listed above. A physical lesion is not required, however, the wound for which the award is made must have required treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record.


3. When contemplating an award of this decoration, the key issue that commanders must take into consideration is the degree to which the enemy caused the injury. The fact that the proposed recipient was participating in direct or indirect combat operations is a necessary prerequisite, but is not sole justification for award.


4. Examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:


(a) Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action.


(b) Injury caused by enemy placed mine or trap.


(c) Injury caused by enemy released chemical, biological, or nuclear agent.


(d) Injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accident resulting from enemy fire.


(e) Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions.


5. Examples of injuries or wounds which clearly do not qualify for award of the Purple Heart are as follows:


(a) Frostbite or trench foot injuries.


(b) Heat stroke.


(c) Food poisoning not caused by enemy agents.


(d) Chemical, biological, or nuclear agents not released by the enemy.


(e) Battle fatigue.


(f) Disease not directly caused by enemy agents.


(g) Accidents, to include explosive, aircraft, vehicular, and other accidental wounding not related to or caused by enemy action.


(h) Self-inflicted wounds, except when in the heat of battle, and not involving gross negligence.


(i) Post-traumatic stress disorders.


(j) Jump injuries not caused by enemy action.


6. It is not intended that such a strict interpretation of the requirement for the wound or injury to be caused by direct result of hostile action be taken that it would preclude the award being made to deserving personnel. Commanders must also take into consideration the circumstances surrounding an injury, even if it appears to meet the criteria. Note the following examples:


(a) In a case such as an individual injured while making a parachute landing from an aircraft that had been brought down by enemy fire; or, an individual injured as a result of a vehicle accident caused by enemy fire, the decision will be made in favor of the individual and the award will be made.


(b) Individuals wounded or killed as a result of "friendly fire" in the "heat of battle" will be awarded the Purple Heart as long as the "friendly" projectile or agent was released with the full intent of inflicting damage or destroying enemy troops or equipment.


(c) Individuals injured as a result of their own negligence; for example, driving or walking through an unauthorized area known to have been mined or placed off limits or searching for or picking up unexploded munitions as war souvenirs, will not be awarded the Purple Heart as they clearly were not injured as a result of enemy action, but rather by their own negligence.
Reply:No. Many people might try to fake that one to get a Purple Heart, then mine would be worthless.
Reply:a purple heart is an award that is given if you are wounded from the enemy (gunshot, shapnel etc) psychological injuries unfortunately do not count. they should, but then how can you measure the criteria? i don't think that, but more skeptical people would say that.
Reply:Nope. It'll never happen.


Since you asked, many, many men have been in combat without sustaining "psychological damage." , or at least to the extent they are not able to function. They dealt with it, and went on.


So many are claiming "psychological injury" it's becoming more and more difficult to separate those who truly did suffer psychological injury from those who are using this as a crutch.
Reply:A purple heart is only given for physical injury.
Reply:If it is a certified injury, Why not?
Reply:Although you only recieve a purple heart for physicall injuries, many soilders suffer from severe psycological damage such as watching children be starve or people being killed in disgusting ways. They deserve an award. Weather its the purple heart or not, they should get an award. The government should make an award given to those soilders who suffer the psycological damage.
Reply:No that would only upset a soldier. He deserves medical and psychological treatment.
Reply:Having got PTSD I can tell you first hand that I wouldnt want a purple heart for it. The only guys in my oppinion who deserve that are the ones who recieved an injury due to direct confrontation with the enemy. The purple heart is handed out to loosely in my oppinion. Thats how John Kerry got his 3 that got him out of Vietnam. He put himself in for all three and only one of the three was due to direct contact. The other ones were minor injuries he recieved while working his day to day duties. Is he a hero? I think not!
Reply:A purple heart is for physical injuries. If we gave a purple heart for every injury including mental that would lessen the 'honour' of getting a purple heart no? purple heart is for getting injured in combat or battle.





although there should be a different mental given out to those who endure injury or mental injury

sandals church