How “cheap” are Purple Hearts? Vindman said his vehicle was hit by an IED and “shrapnel pierced the armor”. He then said “I returned to duty that same day.”
What was his injury? How low is qualification for this medal?
My Dad had a actual facial scar from Shrapnel, didn't get a PH just slapped a bandage on it and went back to work shooting Japs. Later earned 4 silver and 1 Bronze Star in WW2. Fought in 5 major battles in the Philippines as 503rd Airborne jumped with a US Flag to put up when Mac Arthur retook Corregidor on a Telegraph pole under sniper fire with a PFC, dad was a Sgt. That flag was to go to the General and second stay up until official Hoisting of the Colors 2 weeks later.
The Purple Heart is awarded for wounds received in action. The mechanism for producing a set of orders for the award of the Purple Heart depends on paperwork. Most Purple Hearts start with a treatment record from the unit aid station or from the evacuation hospital. But status reports to the tactical operations center may also generate Purple Heart awards. For example: 051430S Jun 05 at grid XY123456 Roster #45 was WIA. Treated by unit medic and RTD.