Purple Heart for a 'Broken Toenail?' Democrat Says Yes

Cybercast News Service ^ | September 29, 2006 | Randy Hall

[Sopater]

(CNSNews.com) - A Democratic congressional candidate from Pennsylvania, allied with anti-war critic U.S. Rep. John Murtha, Wednesday insisted that in terms of the qualifications for receiving a Purple Heart in the military, "it matters not whether it's a broken toenail or a slug to the brain."

Phil Avillo, a veteran himself and candidate for Pennsylvania's 19th House District, was defending Murtha, whose past military service, especially the awarding of his two Purple Hearts, was questioned by several political opponents earlier this year. At the time, Murtha was attracting national attention for his criticism of the Bush administration's strategy in the Iraq war.

It "should make no difference what part of a soldier's body is wounded in combat," Avillo said, and those who "castigate and cheapen" the military medal are "weasels" and "snakes in the grass."

"Congressman Murtha wears proudly the Purple Heart," which "is something that people get because they put their life on the line for this country," Avillo added during a news conference in Washington, D.C.

"What difference does it make where your Purple Heart comes from?" asked Avillo, whose left leg was amputated above the knee after he was wounded in Vietnam. "A nick in the hand? A nick to your carotid artery kills you. Who's going to discriminate between wounds?"

Regardless of whether a serviceman or woman sustains "a broken toenail" or a "slug to the brain," Avillo argued, "you are equally wounded, and you have served this country proudly and well. And we have to honor all Americans who have served and all Americans who have been wounded."

Ray Funderburk, public relations director for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, told Cybercast News Service that Arvillo "took a little liberal license with the broken toenail business."

"What he's saying is that someone determined in the past that an individual merited a Purple Heart and was awarded the same, then we have to honor that," Funderburk said, though he added that "a broken toenail is kind of pushing it."

According to the organization's website, 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."

Funderburk noted that Arvillo "was probably angry when he made those statements, and he took a little liberal license with the broken toenail business because that probably would not merit a Purple Heart."

"But I can see where he's coming from," he added. "The guy gave his leg for his country, and he's proud of his medal."

[Sopater]

those who "castigate and cheapen" the military medal are "weasels" and "snakes in the grass."

Regardless of whether a serviceman or woman sustains "a broken toenail" or a "slug to the brain," Avillo argued, "you are equally wounded"

Maybe its just me, but it seems that giving a Purple Heart for a broken toenail would "castigate and cheapen" the medal, unless of course the broken tonail was caused by stopping a bullet.

[Always Right]

Purple Heart for a 'Broken Toenail?' Democrat Says Yes

Which is a far worse injury than anything Kerry had.

[JerseyDvl]

Actually, on release of this news John Kerry has applied for another retroactive Purple Heart.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***.. unless of course the broken toenail was caused by stopping a bullet.***

This reminds me of the story of the Marine who got three purple hearts. as told in WAR IS A PRIVATE AFAIR by Love.

The Marine is hunting a Jap(anese) sniper.

The sniper is right above him and lowers his rifle to shoot the Marine in the head.

the Marine, crouched, straightens up and hits the muzzle of the rifle and jumps aside just as the bullet is fired. Bullet hits Marine in the big toe. Blast damages hearing.

The Marine falls back and fires his rifle up and kills the sniper who then falls out of the tree and hits helmet first right into the belly of the Marine.

Marine has lost his helmet and finds one to quickly put on. This helmet had a big hole in it from a Marine who had been hit a few days before.

After action report is this.
Purple heart for loss of hearing. (rifle muzzle next to head).
Purple heart for stomach wound (bruise from falling sniper)..
Purple heart for head wound. (damaged helmet).


Marine is then arrested for shooting himself in the big toe to get out of combat.

[Clive]

"Just give me the aspirin. I already got a Purple Heart."

-- Bill Mauldin, Stars and Stripes

[El Gato]

Purple Heart

Paragraph 2-8, Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards)
25 February 1995

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The Purple Heart was established by General George Washington at Newburgh, New York, on 7 August 1782, during the Revolutionary War. It was reestablished by the President of the United States per War Department General Orders 3, 1932 and is currently awarded pursuant to Executive Order 11016, 25 April 1962, Executive Order 12464, 23 February 1984 and Public Law 98-525, 19 October 1984.

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.

---

It looks to me like Murtha's Purple Heart, unless it was awarded for something other than the incident which caused his most grievous damage, was not properly awarded.

[Parmenio]

I hate Murtha and Kerry as much as anyone on Free Republic. But I thought you got a Purple Heart for anything. My Dad who served in WW2 got one because he had appendicitis. He said there was another guy in his unit who got one because he fell off the back of a truck drunk and got hurt.

Is it different now?

[mystery-ak]

See mike, I told you to apply for a PH.....(s)

[Parmenio]

Thanks El Gato. That answered my question.

[mike1sg]

Yea, I guess I should, could just write it up myself like
Kerry.

[LonePalm]

You'd never get a REAL Marine to accept a PH for a nick, scratch, or broken toenail, no matter how he got it.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[onedoug]

"Shame, and eternal shame. Nothing but shame." --Henry V

[taxcontrol]

To quote from AR 600-8-22

"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 the medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record."

I'm not sure how a broken toenail would require the need for medical attention. Perhaps if half the toenail was ripped off and the toe was bleeding? Perhaps if it got infected?

Just not sure on that part.

And just what is the exact medical term and treatment for a broken toenail? Fractured Nail of the Phalanges?

[metmom]

Regardless of whether a serviceman or woman sustains "a broken toenail" or a "slug to the brain," Avillo argued, "you are equally wounded, and you have served this country proudly and well.

That's cheapening the Purple Heart. Might as well just hand them out in basic training then.

[Bringbackthedraft]

I cut my finger peeling carrots while on KP back around 62 as an EM. Is it too late to apply for a PH? I lost some blood, and it had to be as painful as being hit with a grain of rice in the butt.

[meandog]

THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL: "Awarded for wounds or death as a result of an act of any opposing armed force, as a result of an international terrorist attact or as a result of military operations while serving as part of a peacekeeping force."

[BlazingArizona]

To be fair, Murtha did have his entire brain removed. That should qualify him for a Purple Heart.

[DustyMoment]

Is this about John Kerry?

[MadeInAmerica]

Funderburk noted that Arvillo "was probably angry when he made those statements, and he took a little liberal license with the broken toenail business because that probably would not merit a Purple Heart."
___________________________________________________________

A liberal license? Therefore, he can lie and defraud with impunity.

There, Now it makes sense.

[Wristpin]

It is very interesting that both Murtha and Kerry are self nominators of the award.