How can I petition for my Father to receive a Purple Heart?

My father was in WWII, Korea and Vietnam wars. His Ship was hit by Japanese Planes and many were injured and killed. My father received severe back injuries but was alive and breathing. He said in those days as long as you were alive and breathing you were blessed and went on about your business without complaining or letting anyone know. He said he spent hours helping wounded and gathering body parts and wadding through blood ankle deep to help all he could and to recover what he could. He was on the USS Terror during this episode and there has also been a book of sorts written on this. I honestly feel he deserves a Purple Heart and would like to see him have one before he passes. Is there anyone that knows how I go about seeing if I can get this accomplished. Please help if you can.

How can I petition for my Father to receive a Purple Heart?
If he has documentation, you might be able to get the two (or is it three) year time limit waived. If he just sucked it up and drove on without seeing a medic, your chances are low.





The more documentation, from all sources -- eyewitness statements, interview from the book you mentioned, anything -- the better your chances.





Contact Navy about this at:





Bureau of Naval Personnel Liaison Office


Room 5409, 9700 Page Avenue


St. Louis, MO 63132-5100





This address is for replacing lost medals, but they will know who to contact for never-issued medals -- I suspect it is in Room 5408.
Reply:I would write to your Congressional representive and ask them for help. Send copies of all documentation that you have about the attack and the injuries of your father. They have staff that can help you in this matter. The more documentation you have the better the chance he can get it. Good luck.
Reply:If he did not "Receive and Open Bleeding Wound",


he does not qualify for a "Purple Heart"...





Been there,Done that !!!!
Reply:Gather any medical evidence you can and contact your Congressman. Your local VA can assist in getting his medical records.
Reply:If you can get any kind of documentation that states he was injured during that time, you have a good case.
Reply:This would next to immpossible for you to do since he served so long and didn't do anything for receiving the award. You would need statements and a recommendation from the commander to start off. At least survivors of the incident to help start the process. You might need to get a Congressperson or Senator to help, but you also have to realize the award isn't normally given for back injuries. At least it wasn't then, now there are different looks at how it is awarded so your grandfather may qualify.





Here is an organization to help get you started and can provide guidance:


http://www.purpleheart.org/Membership/De...





Here are some of the facts about the awarding of the medal. I checked and it is current:


http://members.aol.com/warlibrary/thehea...





At the bottom of this page it has the standards for awarding the medal:


http://www.amervets.com/replacement/ph.h...





Lastly check with the Veterans Admin. in your area. There should be someone to handle this or at least get the ball rolling.





Good luck.