Did the vets at Perl Harbor get awarded Purple Hearts?
Posted on 10/09/2001 2:00:08 PM PDT by Pistol
Bethlehem (PA)
A Vietnam Veteran said he plans to smash his Purple Heart with a sledgehammer to protest the Defense Department's decision to award the medal to all U.S. military personnel killed or wounded in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"I had great pride in my Purple Heart. It was the only symbol of honor, pride and recognition my country had for my concious effort in the war," Angel Rosario said. "Now it has been watered down to the status of a Boy Scout's merit badge."
Rosario said that on Thursday he will dust off the Purple Heart he received after four bullets hit him during a 1969 ambush near Quang Tri, Vietnam. He plans to carry his medal to the city's Colonial Industrial Quarter- a site he chose because of its historical significance- and smash it with a sledgehammer.
"I do not belittle the events that took place," said Rosario, 51. "It was horrific, and the men and women who perished should be honored. But leave the Purple Heart to the soldiers who conciously fight and die for America," he said.
"Should we give Purple Hearts to every soldier who dies in an automobile accident?"
Rosario said he also opposed the awarding of the Purple Heart to three soldiers in the Persian Gulf War nine years ago.
"They got lost in the desert," he said. "How does that feel to a quadriplegic from Vietnam?"
Kinda like the black beret flap of yesteryear.
A lot of WWII Vets felt that no one during the Vietnam war should have gotten Purple Hearts because it wasn't a declared war.
15 years ago a bunch of soldiers in Germany were awarded Purple Hearts for being in a bar when a terrorist set off an explosion.
The guys in the Pentagon who were burned over 80% of their bodies are just as bad off as a guy who was burned during Vietnam. Both actions were pretty similar.
Some &*^% paper pusher cuts himself with a letter opener and it's a pinning cerimony.
My apologies to all that REALLY bled while in uniform for this country (and to those that were covert sans-dogtags).
Think of it this way - if some quartermaster at a supply warehouse in Vietnam was killed by a VC sneak attack or something, would he receive a Purple Heart?
What about the fact that someone who was wounded comparatively mildly (shrapnel in the butt, recovered after a couple of weeks in the hospital) gets the same Purple Heart a quadriplegic who got hit by a piece of shrapnel exactly three inches higher up than the first guy?
Medal goes to all military personel killed or wounded by ememy action, even REMFs. Would you deny it to men killed/wounded at Pearl Harbor?
Respect that he was in firefight in RVN when he got his, but my 2d PH was for a mortar frag in the back as I was exiting the Steam and Cream in Tay Ninh. If you know what the S & C was, (the one by the PX, across from the airstrip and the "Holiday Inn East," you know why my normally sharply tuned and finely honed combat warrior reflexes were a bit slow....
Remember, I was coming out, not going in...... :~)
I have to admit I felt the military gave out medals like candy when I was in (10 years ago) but he is doing more to dishonor fellow veterans by publicly smashing his Purple Heart than officials are demeaning it's value by awarding it regardless of the nature of service given. Ultimately, those who died at the Pentagon on September 11 did give their lives for their country, even if they were only working in an office complex the time. They should be honored in some official way, even if awarding the Purple Heart might not be the most appropriate way. I'm certain no dishonor was meant to previous recipients.
Criteria for Award of the Purple Heart
a. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force or any civilian national 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
(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.
b. While clearly an individual decoration, the Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not "recommended" for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria.
So is Rosario claiming the terrorists were NOT engaged in a hostile act OR is he claiming they were unarmed OR is he claiming they were friendly to the United States.
Someone ought to take the sledgehammer away from him before he hurts himself.
P.S. I am not that proud of my two Purple Hearts. Both of them mean I was either not vigilant enough or did not respond quickly enough to ensure the enemy got his version of the Purple Heart.
a. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force or any civilian national 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-
(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.
b. While clearly an individual decoration, the Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not "recommended" for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria.
(1) A Purple Heart is authorized for the first wound suffered under conditions indicated above, but for each subsequent award an Oak Leaf Cluster will be awarded to be worn on the medal or ribbon. Not more than one award will be made for more than one wound or injury received at the same instant or from the same missile, force, explosion, or agent.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) Examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly 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 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.
(5) Examples of injuries or wounds which clearly do not qualify for award of the Purple Heart are as follows:
(a) Frostbite or trench foot injuries.
(b) Heat stroke.
(c) Food poisoning not caused by enemy agents.
(d) Chemical, biological, or nuclear agents not released by the enemy.
(e) Battle fatigue.
(f) Disease not directly caused by enemy agents.
(g) Accidents, to include explosive, aircraft, vehicular, and other accidental wounding not related to or caused by enemy action.
(h) Self-inflicted wounds, except when in the heat of battle, and not involving gross negligence.
(i) Post traumatic stressdisorders.
(j) Jump injuries not caused by enemy action.
(6) It is not intended that such a strict interpretation of the requirement for the wound or injury to be caused by direct result of hostile action be taken that it would preclude the award being made to deserving personnel. Commanders must also take into consideration the circumstances surrounding an injury, even if it appears to meet the criteria. Note the following examples:
(a) In a case such as an individual injured while making a parachute landing from an aircraft that had been brought down by enemy fire; or, an individual injured as a result of a vehicle accident caused by enemy fire, the decision will be made in favor of the individual and the award will be made.
(b) 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.
(c) Individuals injured as a result of their own negligence; for example, driving or walking through an unauthorized area known to have been mined or placed off limits or searching for or picking up unexploded munitions as war souvenirs, will not be awarded the Purple Heart as they clearly were not injured as a result of enemy action, but rather by their own negligence.
c. A Purple Heart will be issued to the next of kin of each person entitled to a posthumous award. Issue will be made automatically by the Commanding General, PERSCOM, upon receiving a report of death indicating entitlement.
d. Upon written application to Commander, ARPERCEN, ATTN: DARP-VSE-A, 9700 Page Boulevard. St. Louis, MO 63132-5200, award may be made to any member of the Army, who during World War I, was awarded a Meritorious Service Citation Certificate signed by the Commander in Chief, American Expeditionary Forces, or who was authorized to wear wound chevrons. Posthumous awards to personnel who were killed or died of wounds after 5 April 1917 will be made to the appropriate next of kin upon application to the Commanding General, PERSCOM.
e. Any member of the Army who was awarded the Purple Heart for meritorious achievement or service, as opposed to wounds received in action, between 7 December 1941 and 22 September 1943, may apply for award of an appropriate decoration instead of the Purple Heart.
f. For those who became Prisoners of War after 25 April 1962, the Purple Heart will be awarded to individuals wounded while prisoners of foreign forces, upon submission by the individual to the Department of the U.S. Army of an affidavit that is supported by a statement from a witness, if this is possible. Documentation and inquiries should be directed to Commander, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPC-PDA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471.
g. Any member of the U.S. Army who believes that he or she is eligible for the Purple Heart, but through unusual circumstances no award was made, may submit an application through military channels, to Commander, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPC PDA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471. Application will include complete documentation, to include evidence of medical treatment, pertaining to the wound.
h. As noted in a above, the Purple Heart may be awarded to civilian nationals of the United States. These individuals must be serving under competent authority with the Army when wounded. Serving under competent authority with the Army will include those eligible persons who are employees of the U.S. Government in a duty (pay or official travel) status when wounds are sustained. Examples of eligible individuals are as follows:
(1) Any Army employee who is traveling outside of the continental limits of the United States on PCS or temporary duty (TDY) aboard a commercial aircraft and wounded by international terrorists in an attempted or actual hijacking incident.
(2) An Army employee in an Army office building performing his or her job who is wounded by an explosive device detonated by international terrorists.
(3) A civil or foreign service employee from a U.S. Government Agency or Department attached to an Army element performing intelligence, counter-terrorist, or other duties with the Army wounded by international terrorists.
(4) An Army employee wounded in an international terrorist incident in which a soldier or soldiers are also wounded.
Was is the proper expression. At every turn, I see forms of recognition once reserved for excellence now reduced to mediocrity.
It has reached extremes never before imagined. SAT scores of today spit on the achievements of students past. Bumper stickers on automobiles praising the parents for having an offspring on the honor role are nearly a joke when 40% of the students achieve such acclaim. The military diminishes those it previously honored from burial in hallowed ground at Arlington to military headwear. And now the nations medals are diminished further. What possible satisfaction can one find in praise and recognition that is bestowed yet unearned?
I salute and applaud the persons who have the grace and good manners to turn such awards away.
Not unless it was in a Duce& a half in the field during a mission. But he makes a very poor comparision between 9/11 and a car wreck. The 9/11 attack by our own government was considered an act of war. They were active duty United States Military at that time war was declared upon this nation and in that very act they died. Yes IMHO they deserve the Purple Heart. As for the vet saying he is a quad he should be more thankfull as many more just plain died. Others lost half their skull and survived and I bet if they had a coherant thought they would wish to be a quad. Life as a quad may not be the life he wished for but neither did the ones who dies desire death.
As Stated before the Purple Heart is awarded for not getting out of the way of enemy fire sharpnel fast enough.
Let him smah it and send it back.
It can be melted down and reawarded to someone who actually understands why they receive it.
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