Soldiers, what is your view about Purple Hearts?

Please settle an argument. My bf, who has experience in these matters, says that no one wants one. Fair enough, that's not the argument though. He says the soldiers that get one are stupid. They weren't doing what they were suppossed to otherwise they wouldn't have been injured. They have failed the mission. They did something wrong. They're idiots. I find that preposterous.


Thoughts?

Soldiers, what is your view about Purple Hearts?
To call them stupid is utterly ridiculous.It is a war the soldiers are fighting in.What if they get ambushed?What about the poor souls that don't survive?I'm afraid your boyfriend is the one who is stupid!
Reply:Obviously the most purple hearts given out right now are to military personnel who were either hit by an IED or a stray mortar. Now how are they idiots if it is something they can't control? However he is right, no one wants to get one, but not for the reasons he is stating.
Reply:You can tell you boyfriend who has never served in a line unit that he is so wrong his parents need to be slapped for giving birth to him. Nobody wants one because you have to be wounded to get one. I know of no one that did anything wrong to be wounded. If he can give ONE example I would like to hear it.
Reply:President Bush got one for the vicious verbal assaults by the liberals!
Reply:Well I'm not a soldier but I plan on going to West Point and my uncle is Special Forces. One of his friends was blown up by an IED and lost both of his legs. I'm not sure of the technical term for this, But something along the lines of his windpipe collapsed and no medics were around. Him being a medic himself took a knife and opened his own. No I do not think people who get purple hearts are idiots, and tell your bf he is an idiodic dickweed.
Reply:Your boyfriend sounds like an idiot, if this post is actually true. I agree with him that no soldier wants to get one since to get one you have to be injured. I can't imagine any military personnel who would want to be injured to get a Purple Heart--except for John Kerry who somehow earned 3 in less than 3 months. That's either, as your boyfriend says "stupid" or intentional or bogus--none of those are any good.





My uncle, who received his Purple Heart posthumously in WWII, happened to be working the radio next to the officers who were the target when the grenade went off. He just happened to be in the way.
Reply:As a retired professional soldier I find your boyfriend's comments to be indicative of severe stupidity. Sure, no one wants to get wounded in battle, but to carry that on to say that all the people who were wounded were stupid is blindly ignorant of the forces in a battle. Sounds to me like he would be hiding in a hole somewhere instead of performing his job as a soldier.


My suggestion, move on to a different man who has a little understanding and compassion.
Reply:I have served active military service has your b/f?





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





The Purple Heart was established by General George Washington at Newburgh, New York, on 7 August 1782, during the Revolutionary War. It was reestablished by the President of the United States per War Department General Orders 3, 1932 and is currently awarded pursuant to Executive Order 11016, 25 April 1962, Executive Order 12464, 23 February 1984 and Public Law 98-525, 19 October 1984.





A. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded-





1. In any action against an enemy of the United States.


2. In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged.


3. While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.


4. As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces.


5. As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force


6. After 28 March 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of the Army, or jointly by the Secretaries of the separate armed services concerned if persons from more than one service are wounded in the attack.


7. After 28 March 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.


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.


C. A Purple Heart will be issued to the next of kin of each person entitled to a posthumous award. Issue will be made automatically by the Commanding General, PERSCOM, upon receiving a report of death indicating entitlement.





D. Upon written application to Commander, ARPERCEN, ATTN: DARP-VSE-A, 9700 Page Boulevard. St. Louis, MO 63132-5200, award may be made to any member of the Army, who during World War I, was awarded a Meritorious Service Citation Certificate signed by the Commander in Chief, American Expeditionary Forces, or who was authorized to wear wound chevrons. Posthumous awards to personnel who were killed or died of wounds after 5 April 1917 will be made to the appropriate next of kin upon application to the Commanding General, PERSCOM.





E. Any member of the Army who was awarded the Purple Heart for meritorious achievement or service, as opposed to wounds received in action, between 7 December 1941 and 22 September 1943, may apply for award of an appropriate decoration instead of the Purple Heart.





F. For those who became Prisoners of War after 25 April 1962, the Purple Heart will be awarded to individuals wounded while prisoners of foreign forces, upon submission by the individual to the Department of the U.S. Army of an affidavit that is supported by a statement from a witness, if this is possible. Documentation and inquiries should be directed to Commander, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPC-PDA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471.





G. Any member of the U.S. Army who believes that he or she is eligible for the Purple Heart, but through unusual circumstances no award was made, may submit an application through military channels, to Commander, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPC PDA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471. Application will include complete documentation, to include evidence of medical treatment, pertaining to the wound.





H. As noted above, the Purple Heart may be awarded to civilian nationals of the United States. These individuals must be serving under competent authority with the Army when wounded. Serving under competent authority with the Army will include those eligible persons who are employees of the U.S. Government in a duty (pay or official travel) status when wounds are sustained. Examples of eligible individuals are as follows:





1. Any Army employee who is traveling outside of the continental limits of the United States on PCS or temporary duty (TDY) aboard a commercial aircraft and wounded by international terrorists in an attempted or actual hijacking incident.


2. An Army employee in an Army office building performing his or her job who is wounded by an explosive device detonated by international terrorists.


3. A civil or foreign service employee from a U.S. Government Agency or Department attached to an Army element performing intelligence, counter-terrorist, or other duties with the Army wounded by international terrorists.


4. An Army employee wounded in an international terrorist incident in which a soldier or soldiers are also wounded.








Support our troops!
Reply:getting wounded by an armed enemy....nobody wants that one, it is true. idiots, no, mistakes happen.
Reply:Some want them... fools !! Those who get them aren't all "stupid"... the enemy IS trying to kill / wound you and sometimes THEY get lucky.





I got mine Feb 9th 1991 due to Iraqi AAA... thru the thigh, into my arm and the side of my flight helmet.





Oh... I bandaged myself with help from my gunner, and we DID complete the mission successfully. I flew for another 8 years, and wore it with f***ing PRIDE.





So your "experienced" BF may as another said "BUGGER OFF"
Reply:Your boyfriend is a jerk and fool.





My bet he hasn't seen combat except in the movies. Tell him to bugger off.
Reply:I agree partly. No one wants one.


As to being idiots, not every time.
Reply:You can be the smartest Soldier in the world. When the Artillery starts landing shrapnel is flying everywhere.


The only way to be sure not to get hit is not to go there.


Even then you can still get hit because the enemy usually tries to hit base camps.





So you are sitting on the crapper when a 107mm hits,


What did yo do wrong?
Reply:Well; he's right in the fact that no one wants one. Soldiers tease each other about them (all in love, though) and call them the "slow movers award" just to get a laugh. However; they would never say something derogatory to someone who has a Purple Heart in seriousness or call them an idiot. People have earned Purple Hearts for shrapnel wounds when an IED/EFP goes off under their vehicle. How do you avoid that when they are buried underground and you can't see them? You can't; so to call them stupid or idiots or to say they did something wrong is utterly ridiculous and just not true.
Reply:soldiers put their lives on the line everyday, and many get hurt when they were doing all they can do do their job, they in no way what so ever have failed the mission or did anything wrong. though nobody goes to war wanting a purple heart or wanting to be injured, to be awarded one for serving your country and getting injured in the process is a very high honor.
Reply:I used to tell troops the same thing - "if you get a Purple Heart you ****** up because our job is to not get our *** shot!" That's just Sarge's way of saying "be careful guys" without sounding like a p****.





That said, there are many who earned theirs by fully consciously sacrificing for their friends. You can't help but drop a tear and raise a glass for any soldier that, knowing full well that he is going to be maimed or killed, steps into the line for his friends. HooF'nRah!





Nobody wants a Purple Heart, the qualification is extreme. This is one too that not many soldiers (Marines, sailors, airman) harbor any disrespect for.
Reply:First, let's go back to a real war. (WW Two) If one received a purple heart in that war it was well deserved. Fast forward to the year 2007. One can now get a purple heart if you have a hang nail on your big toe "OR" if a bug bites you while you are in combat. Your manfriend knows the truth and that's why he feels that way about the purple heart.