US Army to award Purple Heart to Fort Hood victims

Yeah, I'm just not sure. I would love to know if the Army made this decision on its own, or if a member of Congress pushed it. In my opinion, it devalues what the Purple Heart means. It has less to do with action, and more behind the intent of the action.
 
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Yeah, I don't think its appropriate there either.

We do you draw the line? A go-fast loaded with drugs kills a Coast Guardsman….. does that Coastie receive a Purple Heart? I don't think so. And yet, that cartel is likely linked-to, or defined as a terrorist organization, and the running of drugs is more organized than the Ft. Hood attacks, and the actions of that Coastie are more in line with doing his/her job, as opposed to being a victim, in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I'm not saying they shouldn't be honored, but on the same level as someone who's going into harms way…. I don't know.
 
LineInTheSand said:
Yeah, I don't think its appropriate there either.

We do you draw the line? A go-fast loaded with drugs kills a Coast Guardsman….. does that Coastie receive a Purple Heart? I don't think so. And yet, that cartel is likely linked-to, or defined as a terrorist organization, and the running of drugs is more organized than the Ft. Hood attacks, and the actions of that Coastie are more in line with doing his/her job, as opposed to being a victim, in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I'm not saying they shouldn't be honored, but on the same level as someone who's going into harms way…. I don't know.
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I don't see any of the criteria you potentially mention listed in the requirements for the Award (eg. organization level, whether you were doing your job or not, 'being a victim', or "in the wrong place at the wrong time.")

Now, I didn't go read the rest of the references mentioned so there may be amplifying information if one wanted to dig into the nitty gritt.

From: https://www.hrc.army.mil/tagd/purple heart

The Purple Heart (PH) 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; Public Law 98-525, 19 October 1984 amended by Public Law 100–48, 1 June 1987; Public Law 103-160, 30 November 1993; Public Law 104-106, 10 February 1996; and Public Law 105-85, 18 November 1997. The PH is awarded in the name of the President of the United States and per 10 USC 1131, effective 19 May 1998, is limited to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under component authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded, was killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received under any of the following—

  • In any action against an enemy of the United States.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • As the result of an act of any such enemy of opposing Armed Forces.
  • As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force.
  • After 28 March 1973, as the 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 Army, or jointly by the Secretaries of the separate armed services concerned if persons from more than one service are wounded in the attack.
  • After 28 March 1973, as the result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.
  • Servicemembers who are killed or wounded in action by friendly fire. In accordance with 10 USC 1129 for award of the PH, the Secretary of the Army will treat a member of the Armed Forces as a member who is killed or wounded in action as the result of an act of an enemy of the United States
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I wonder why its "Secretary of the Army" in this reference. So is at a "recent change" or from the 1970s?
 
LineInTheSand said:
I wonder why its "Secretary of the Army" in this reference. So is at a "recent change" or from the 1970s?
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It's Secretary Army because I referenced an Army HRC website. The Navy awards website is slow as all get out at times so I didn't go to that one as the award criteria will be the same.

There have been several changes over the years, the most recent one I remeber has to do with TBI and similar injuries.
 
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