Getting a declined purple heart back?

when my grandpa was fighting in the war he was wounded but declined his purple heart. i was wondering if there is anyway that i could get his purple heart that he declined.

Getting a declined purple heart back?
I suppose it may be possible if you could obtain his medical records or statements from witnesses. This site can get you started.





http://www.archives.gov/veterans/militar...
Reply:If you are making a display for him and he says he was offered it buy one, put it on display in a case and make him happy. Who could find any harm in that???





If he is in a group like the VFW he should NOT wear it unless he can go thru the hassle of getting it awarded.





If he is a WWII Vet and has The Combat Infantry Badge you can add a Bronze Star. A law in 1947 upgraded all WWII CIB's to the Bronze Star. Also he would likely be entitled to "Occupation" %26amp; "Vicotry" medals that were authorized after a lot of guy's got out in 1945.





You can read about the Bronze Star at the link. That would be the easy one to get an official upgrade to.





SSG US Army 73-82
Reply:First is your grandfather still alive? If he is his Purple Heart might be in his Military Records. If your grandfather is still alive tell him how much you would like to have it. If not, I'm not really sure if there is away.


I Declined an MSM for my service while station in Korea in 1982. They told me that it was already in my records,and it still is today. The reason I decline my metal was due to the fact that I didn't respect the officer who want to present it to me at Scott AFB,Ill.


Why did your grandfather refuse his Purple Heart? If possible talk to him about it or talk to your parents to see if they know why.


Neither left or right,red or blue. Just an American who thinks our country is headed in the wrong direction.


Msgt (Ret) Vietnam Vet
Reply:Good question.





MANY soldiers refused their Purple Hearts out of respect for the "real" wounded. I'm not sure if the refusal was a symbolic thing or if it was actually stricken from their record.








Check with John Kerry..... he got 3 that he didn't deserve. He'll know.
Reply:If it is listed on his service record, he was awarded it anyway. This happens a lot. Troops get the award and just decide not to wear it or have it issued to them. Usually, it still gets entered into their service record though.
Reply:if it was declined then he never got it in the first place you can try to get it but not get it back
Reply:i would check his records. if you or he can prove that he was injured from combat then he maybe able to get it. talk to your local congressman.
Reply:No, he had reasons for declining it...the honor was in his actions not in a bobble.