Question about Purple Heart...?

Question

Is it true that if a insurgent ram a truck fill with explosive into a nearby building which collaspe and fell onto a nearby soldier patrolling and was very badly injured by that, he WON'T receive a Purple Heart?

Answer 1

I cant believe that. His injuries were a result of enemy activity.

Answer 2

i don't know that a building falling on you is an act of bravery

Answer 3

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Questio...

I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU OUT.

Answer 4

I belive he rates it! i got one too. I had an ak round ricochet off a piece of concrete and frag my face up, i got one!

Heres what the military Order of the Purple Heart says about it.

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.

The organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart," was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Composed exclusively of Purple Heart recipients, it is the only veterans service organization comprised strictly of “combat” veterans.

            Funds for welfare, rehabilitation and/or service work carried on by the organization are derived through the collection of used household items, the operation of thrift stores, through the donation of automobiles and, at the community level, from the annual distribution of its official flower, the Purple Heart Viola. Violas are assembled by disabled and needy veterans, many of whom receive little or no compensation from other sources. Thus, your contribution to our programs serve are two-fold. First, they help the veterans who participate in these endeavors and, secondly, they enable the organization to do many things on behalf of hospitalized and needy veterans and their families.

        Wives, mothers, daughters, step-daughters and adopted daughters of Purple Heart recipients are eligible to belong to the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, which also does important work nationally and locally in veterans' hospitals.

Answer 5

I'd say that he should receive it

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 after being wounded.

Answer 6

that's false. he'll get one.  it's an injury during combat.

EDIT: I don't believe it for a minute your story.  If it's true then the Marine didn't go through the proper channels to file for it.  He's not telling you the truth.  A building falling on him is not considered secondary shrapnel unless it just fell on it's own.......perhaps your not getting the full story........

Answer 7

well my uncle got eggshells in his eye and received a purple heart.

Answer 8

i dont really know but a purple heart is the highest honor in the military and my uncle got one  

Answer 9

yes, it is true, they won't get a purple heart because in order to get one ou have to be shot

Answer 10

Shock and Awe and SFC Ollie have it all covered.

Its funny too, Shock and Awe, I too, have that wonderful marskmanship badge and am not at all proud of it though.

Answer 11

Some body is not tell truth.

Answer 12

He qualifies 100% no doubt about it.

http://www.americal.org/awards/ph.htm

Paragraph 2-8, Army Regulation 600-8-22  

Answer 13

Yes, I believe it because I went the same thing, but in a different way. The standards to receive one vary in theatre in awarding. The main standard everyone keeps posting isn't what MEF in Iraq has posted in Iraq (at least in wasn't in 2006). It is totally different and it covers in detail injuries caused by secondary items such as debris from building which is not 'secondary sharpnel'. Theory is what if the building fell 30 minutes later on him? How about 3 hours later? I work in JAG, got wounded bad with three Marines in Ramadi by a SVBIED 15 feet for our HUMVEE and yet we still had problems since it was an IED. The Army standards, we passed, no problem. Marine, MEF policy, no way at the time. Later, 7 months later it was changed for IED blast injuries.

Now, before you or whoever gets wrapped up in this...read the actually regulation, get all the facts of the incident (you need to see the statements) and have his commander puch the issue like mine did (I didn't care but he did and fought for it).  I mean you say one thing about a Soldier, then another thing about a Marine, so I don't know who you are defending, but I had to do legal reviews on hundreds of these reports and we favored the servicemebers 80% if it was legit. Normally the higher ranking ones were the b.s artists.

Here's what the reg says:

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. 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.

Examples of enemy-related injuries which 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 land mine, naval 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.

So techinally your friend should be good, but it will depend on the review board and the doctors and admin folks on it (normally this at a Regiment, Division or Corp level). If it is legit, tell him to fight it, but have all his evidence available. Make copies and talk to his Congressperson.

Good luck.

Answer 14

If what you report is true, then his Chain Of Command or the Medical Staff treating him for his combat wounds can start the process to get a Purple Heart.

Either his fellow Marines or the medical staff that treated his wounds can start that process.

I think you may need some more information.

Note to Bubble:

The Purple Heart is NOT the highest award that can be awarded to service personnel, although it is held in very high regards emotionally and professionally.  Most people would not know that if they were not in the military.  Thank your Uncle for me for his service and for his award of the PH and I hope he is doing well.

Answer 15

If you fall out of a truck during a ambush and break a leg you can be awarded a purple heart. The person you are talking about should get one cause it was caused by a act of an opposing enemy.

Awarded to:

"Being wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces"