If a soldier is hit by enemy fire, but the bullets are stopped by a vest, do they still get a Purple Heart?

Question

I'm not sure if they do or don't.

Answer 1

Not generally because to get it, you must be physically wounded severely enough that it requires medical attention in any of the following scenarios:

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.

Being wounded 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. 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."

However, if the enemy fire caused the soldier to break some ribs due to the force of the bullet and he needed to seek medical attention, then he would get one.

Answer 2

YES, someone already quoted the regulations that qualify you for a purple heart. Our Brigade as required by Corps, required any of our Soldiers that recieved any type of injury to go to the TMC Troop Clinic) and get a LOD "Line of Duty". We had Soldiers that got purple hearts for knee being brused, ribs being brused, 1 Soldier got schrapnel in his vest, 1 was knocked out for a couple of seconds all from IED's. None of them had any life threatning injuries and were all able to continue there mission to the next base. Upon arrival they wen to see the Dr. got it documented and thus qualified for a purple heart. Alot of this has to do with the chain of command, but to answer your question, I have seen a brused knee qualify for a purple heart.

The higher HQ wants this done because that Soldier will get a higher priority at the VA and if the injury were to get worese they would be covered under the VA for life.

If a Solder was hit in the vest by enemy fire, they would have brused ribs and thus qualify.  

Answer 3

Purple heart is given for 'INJURIES". Yes, I quoted! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...