Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is a U.S. military decoration awarded in the name of the President of the United States to those who have been wounded or killed while serving in, or with, the U.S. military after April 5, 1917.

Criteria

Award Specifications

The Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not "recommended" for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled upon being killed or wounded in a manner meeting the specific criteria of AR 600-8-22:

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• 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 a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces;
• As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force;
• After March 28, 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 department concerned, or jointly by the Secretaries of the departments concerned if persons from more than one department are wounded in the attack; or,
• After March 28, 1973, as a result of military operations, while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.
• After December 7, 1941, by weapon fire while directly engaged in armed conflict, regardless of the fire causing the wound.
• While held as a prisoner of war or while being taken captive.

A "wound" is defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or agent. 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.

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Individuals wounded or killed as a result of "friendly fire" in the "heat of battle" will be awarded the Purple Heart as long as the "friendly" projectile or agent was released with the full intent of inflicting damage or destroying enemy troops or equipment.

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Award Examples

Examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:

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• Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action.
• Injury caused by enemy placed mine or trap.
• Injury caused by enemy released chemical, biological or nuclear agent.
• Injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accident resulting from enemy fire.
• Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions.

Denial Examples

Examples of combat related injuries which do not qualify for the Purple Heart are as follows:

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• Developing a service connected disability, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, months or years after having been engaged in enemy combat.
• Suffering environmental injuries in a combat zone, such as frostbite or sunburn
• Injured while performing a mission related to combat, but not in direct contact with enemy forces. An example would be falling and breaking a bone while on a patrol or being involved in a vehicle accident while travelling through a combat zone.
• A physical disability which occurred relating to combat with the enemy. An example would be a service member who suffered from hearing loss after having been shelled by enemy artillery.
• An injury which occurred in combat, but was as the result of taking cover or retreating. An example would be a soldier who, while under fire from the enemy, dives into a fox hole and shatters a bone or dislocates a joint.
• A malicious injury caused by another allied solider. An example would be having been shot deliberately, by another friendly forces soldier, as the result of an argument.
• Injured by the enemy through sheer negligence of duty. An example would be intentionally walking into a marked enemy minefield or deliberately exposing oneself to enemy fire with a desire to be wounded or killed. Such cases are often very hard to determine, since the definition of negligence is open to interpretation.
• Any self inflicted wound, even if it was during combat with an enemy. If determined to be "in the heat of the battle", such as being shot with one's own weapon while struggling hand to hand with an enemy, the Purple Heart may be authorized. The stipulation mainly applies to those who wound themselves on purpose to avoid combat duty or who seek evacuation from a dangerous area.