Purple Hearts in War on Terror

[Dragonfighter]

I've been thinking and I believe I'm going to write my congressman and senator but wanted to know what ya'll think. We have declared a war on terror, so therefore we are at war and though the enemy may not be conventional, it is crystal clear that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan was an Islamic terrorist and therefore "the enemy"...infiltration not withstanding.

So I am going to suggest that those U.S. Army personnel wounded or killed due to enemy action at Ft. Hood be awarded the Purple Heart. Thoughts?

[KD5NRH]

So I am going to suggest that those U.S. Army personnel wounded or killed due to enemy action at Ft. Hood be awarded the Purple Heart. Thoughts?

PH or not, there are several, wounded or not, who displayed courage in assisting the wounded while Hasan was still shooting that should be receiving some significant awards.

[longtooth]

I am not military so dont know what actions get what medals.
The purple hearts are definately deserved.
I think there are other medals, Citations, Comendations, .... that should be awarded.
Again I do not know the standards though.

[KD5NRH]

FWIW, from a few quick Google searches:
(The list of wounded is obviously not complete, specific injuries and ranks may be a bit mixed up, as some were listed differently from one article to the next. One might think the reporters could have the facts straight by now.)

Wounded:
Spc Keara Bono: Wounded in head and back, already back to work and still hoping to deploy on schedule.
PFC Amber Bahr: Pass-through wound to back, dragged another wounded soldier out of the area and provided first aid.
PFC Justin Johnson: Wounded in back and foot. Was able to walk again within a few days.
Sgt Paul Martin: Wounded in back, leg, and both arms. Was carried out by an unnamed soldier during the incident. Expects to deploy late.
Sgt John Pagel: Wounded in arm and chest. Back at work.
Pvt George Stratton III: Wounded in shoulder. Recovering.
Sgt Joy Clark: Wounded in arm while rendering aid to another wounded soldier.
Cpl. Nathan Hewitt: Wounded in hip and calf.
Pvt Ray Saucedo: Wounded in arm. Back at work.
Spc Grant Moxon: Wounded in leg. Recovering.
PFC. Joseph Foster: Wounded in hip. Hoping to deploy on time.
Spc Matthew Cooke: Wounded five times in torso and head while helping another wounded soldier. Recovering slowly.
Maj Randy Royer: Wounded in arm and leg. Recovering.
Pvt Alan Carroll: Wounded twice in arm and once in side. Recovering and hoping to deploy.
Cpt Dorothy Carskadon: Wounded twice in hip. Recovering.
Sgt Chad Davis: Wounded three times in shoulder and back while moving to subdue the shooter. Recovering.
CWO Christopher Royal: Wounded three times in side and back, also while moving to engage shooter during a reload. Recovering.
Sgt Alonzo Lunsford: Wounded in stomach and head. Recovering.
Spc Logan Burnette: Wounded in hip, arm and hand. Recovering.
Sgt Shawn Manning: Wounded six times in chest, abdomen, leg and foot. Recovering.
2LT Brandy Mason: Wounded in hip. Recovering.
Sgt Patrick Zeigler: Wounded four times in torso and head. In neurological rehab, possibly paralyzed on left side.
Sgt Patrick Blue III: Wounded in side by bullet fragments while running to the scene. Back at work.

Deceased:
Sgt Amy Krueger
Michael Cahill, civilian contractor
Sgt Justin DeCrow
Cpt John Gaffaney
Spc Jason Hunt
PFC Aaron Nemelka
PFC Michael Pearson
Cpt Russell Seager
Pvt Francheska Velez
LtC Juanita Warman
Spc Kham Xiong
Maj Libardo Cavareo
Spc Frederick Greene

[Dragonfighter]

The requirements for our oldest medal are simply that wounds be sustained due to enemy action:

George Washington's Order.:

"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."

Current Requirements (em. added):

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 as follows:

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.

The PC will have to admit that Hasan was an enemy of the United States, or his actions constitute enemy action of an opposing enemy force or (a slam dunk) an international terrorist attack against the United States. The president said we were at war at the memorial, the war on terror. Though the enemy is not defined traditionally (Axis), the enemy is clearly international and Hasan was an infiltrate of that enemy.

[Tha_Veteran]

I agree, they deserve Purple Heats. It was a form of terrorism, and we are at war with terrorism.

[Dragonfighter]

Looking at your avatar...thank you. All I ever did was practice.

[jsimmons]

Per United States Army regulations, 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 April 5, 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died after being wounded.

Specific examples of services which warrant the Purple Heart include any action against an enemy of the United States; 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 a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces; or as the result of an act of any hostile foreign force. 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. 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.

[Purplehood]

Even reading the post above, I would agree that any of the wounded at Ft. Hood SHOULD be awarded the Purple Heart.

With the highly unusual nature of the War on Terror, I think that even if it were clearly proved that Major Hasan acted alone he would still count as an enemy combatant that was self-motivated.

[Tha_Veteran]

Looking at your avatar...thank you. All I ever did was practice.

I am one of the lucky ones who made it home.

SOME GAVE ALL, ALL GAVE SOME