Should the British Armed Forces receive a medal if they are wounded/killed (like the US Purple Heart)?

in action?





If not, why not? A view from the other side of the pond would be welcome.

Should the British Armed Forces receive a medal if they are wounded/killed (like the US Purple Heart)?
Yes they should! Their not "pity tokens"! They are symbolic of sacrifce in the line of duty. They represent the soldier has not only been in combat but was wounded in service to their country! Recognition of sacrfice is compliant with the a healthy morale and is just a small token of gratitude for paying the ultimate price. Whats the ultimate price to pay for our service to our countries? It's worthy of recognition in my opinion.
Reply:I personally believe that Purple Hearts are a joke to make people and families feel better. They cover a number of different things and to make things worse it depends on where you are that determines if you get it. Realistically, every member of the U.S. Armed Forces hurt or killed Sept. 11 in the Pentagon is NOT eligible for a Purple Heart despite the fact that the enemy wounded and/or killed them. However, someone in Afghanistan who lacerates his foot on some broken glass during a cordon and search is eligible.





This leads me to believe what I do about the Purple Heart. It is a shame that anyone must get hurt or die in war but a symbolic medal means nothing and it certainly doesn't fix the issue.





EDIT: I do agree with Gentle Giant, if a member of your forces is fighting alongside the U.S. than they should be eligible for everything we are eligible for.








Andy S-And along those lines I agree with the Purple Heart very much. However, that is now how the Purple Heart is awarded in this day and age. Anyone injured on U.S. soil is not eligible.
Reply:How is that something that people on this side should answer?


If the British feel that a member of their armed forces deserves a medal or recognition then they will award him one.


If you mean should the US award a medal to Brits who are fighting under British command, the answer is No. If, however, a Brit is fighting under US command then certainly he deserves to be treated as any member of our armed forces would be.
Reply:I'm not that sure what merits the purple heart,from what I've read on here and elsewhere its given for wounds received in action and other unspecified reasons,if its purely for being wounded in action then no i don't think we should award one,as we never have had a medal for this why start now?,I'm sure there are other users of this site like myself who are ex-forces and have left their DNA on foreign soil and just accepted the fact as its deemed part of the job,i fully understand the culture of the American armed forces and have no wish to make it seem that i disagree with the issue of the purple heart as that's not the case but i do not think its for the British army.nice question neil.
Reply:I wouldn't call the Purple Heart a 'pity token'. When George Washington established it he said "Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the purple heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen." That idea sounds honor worthy to me but that is just my opinion.
Reply:The British Army have awarded "Wound Stripes" in the past for those injured in combat but the practice ceased after WW2. There is an ongoing debate in Westminster as to whether or not the practice should be re-instated in the form of wound stripes or a medal. See report from Hansard http://www.parliament.the-stationery-off...
Reply:No. We have a fine tradition of giving medals for something special, not for letting the bad guys shoot you.





Part of a soldiers job is to kill the other side without being taken out of the fight themselves.
Reply:What for? Did they join the army to get a medal or to serve their country? It's not as though they could trade a medal in for a new leg, is it?
Reply:They all get a service medal, but you know, i think that most would prefer to come home safely to their family, than worry about a length of ribbon and metal.
Reply:Given the importance of tradition in the British military and the fact that there has never been such a decoration, I think there would be great opposition to introducing one now.
Reply:The wounded would rather have a decent pension and/or compensation not bloody bling.
Reply:medals are for doing something brave or amazing, not 'pity tokens'.
Reply:They should.