# Under what circumstances is a Purple Heart awarded (US Army)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 13, 2024, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839 "2024-06-13T16:10:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839/41 "2024-06-17T03:00:12Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > It is very difficult to generalize across all veterans, let alone all recipients of VA disability benefits. But I’ll express my opinion that some non-zero percentage of disabled veterans are fuckups, bullshitters, and goldbricks - pretty much as is a non-zero percentage of any other segment of society. I appreciate this point. There’s also a non-zero number of people who find out after the fact that they are/should be qualified even if they made no direct effort. My FiL spent 8 years in the navy, came home and worked as a government contractor (as did my MiL) for the rest of his adult life. About 8 years ago, he was diagnosed with slow growing prostate cancer, which has been fully under control with modern targeted treatments. His doctor checked his medical history, confirmed his stationing, but my FiL largely blew it off, saying that as a Navy man, he almost never was on land off leave or for rare training/events. The Doctor said it didn’t matter, and put in an application through the VA, and now he has additional income he never anticipated. He was a little embarrassed by the whole thing, but shrugged and took the money. Which was helpful, what with my wife going back to get her Masters and PhD in an entirely new field with much mucking about and delays culminating with COVID, he was extremely generous with aid to her. So there are those that aren’t gaming the system, but won’t duck when the system throws money at them. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839/42 "2024-06-17T03:17:38Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > So Congress had to pass a law making it automatic for those exposed (along with many other conditions). You don’t even have to prove exposure, just presence in a qualifying location during the relevant time period. Type 2 Diabetes + service in Vietnam (out to 12 miles from the baseline for blue water Navy veterans) during the war = presumptive service connection. Anyway, I’m at 70%. Can’t do anything like my Navy job anymore, but doesn’t stop me from doing relatively low-intensity work like being an attorney. I suppose to a casual observer, that might suggest I’m not really disabled, but frankly, being an attorney isn’t nearly so demanding as being a naval officer on sea duty. ---
**Author:** ![NoSleepTillDeath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a87d85/32.png) [@NoSleepTillDeath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoSleepTillDeath)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839/43 "2024-06-17T04:00:40Z")
Honest question, why do you care so much? What reason do you legitimately have to questions his honesty about it despite whatever animosity you seem to have towards him? Being in a vehicle that gets hit with an IED is guaranteed 100%, but that doesn’t mean you have you have to look like the Wounded Warrior Project poster child for the rest of their life. I’ve know multiple K9 handlers that have blown up by IEDs that have continued to serve long career after, including one that’s an amputee( Look up Benjamin Seekell if you’re interested in the story of someone that continues to serve 13 years after losing a leg). You seems to have an predetermined idea of what a disable veteran is supposed to look like based upon a very horrible media driven narrative that we’re all broken down, unemployable and helpless. Since SIL doesn’t fit that narrative combined whatever personal issue you two have you seem like you’re kinda making it your goal to discredit him for whatever reason. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839/44 "2024-06-18T08:55:48Z")
I wonder if the USA is the only country that gives people a medal just for getting wounded. British service people either have to do something suitably heroic to earn a medal, or just be present at a particular conflict. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839/45 "2024-06-18T13:37:24Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > I wonder if the USA is the only country that gives people a medal just for getting wounded. British service people either have to do something suitably heroic to earn a medal, or just be present at a particular conflict. There is the German Wound Badge which had versions before, during and after WWII. I’m sure there are other countries but I haven’t looked. > **[Wound Badge](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wound_Badge)** > > The Wound Badge (German: Verwundetenabzeichen) was a German military decoration first promulgated by Wilhelm II, German Emperor on 3 March 1918, which was first awarded to soldiers of the German Army who were wounded during World War I. Between the world wars, it was awarded to members of the German armed forces who fought on the Nationalist side of the Spanish Civil War, 1938–39, and received combat related wounds. It was awarded to members in the Reichswehr, the Wehrmacht, SS and the auxilia Th... Also you might want to look up the British Wound Stripe. I believe it’s discontinued but it was around for both World Wars. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839/46 "2024-06-18T14:22:24Z")
Prince Harry called for a British version of the Purple Heart back in 2016. (sorry for the Sun cite, but other UK newspapers are paywalled) > **[Prince Harry thinks Brits wounded in action should be awarded Purple...](https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/1689116/prince-harry-thinks-brave-brits-wounded-in-action-should-be-awarded-purple-heart-style-medal-to-commend-their-sacrifice/)** > > MILITARY man Prince Harry thinks brave Brits wounded in action should be given a Purple Heart-style medal. The Royal, 31, who has served in Afghanistan, says British service personnel injured in th… ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839/47 "2024-06-18T14:30:36Z")
That said, some militaries are much less medal-happy than others. In the US, if you served in Vietnam and didn’t screw up too badly, that by itself would get you four honors. From what I’ve heard, though, in Israel, for instance, someone with four honors would be considered very highly decorated. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839/48 "2024-06-18T15:46:13Z")
A former co-worker was in the Army in West Germany for two years. His service started in early 1975 and overlapped with the last 30 days of the war so is considered a Vietnam Era Vet and got a medal for that. He loved to proclaim his status every time he was about to be fired. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839/49 "2024-06-18T19:20:13Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > I wonder if the USA is the only country that gives people a medal just for getting wounded. France has one. Germany has one. > **[Medal for the War Wounded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medal_for_the_War_Wounded)** > > The Medal for the War Wounded (French: Médaille des blessés de guerre) was originally a mere insignia in the form of an ribbon awarded for wounds received in the line of duty while facing an enemy. The insignia was established by the law of 11 December 1916, based on an idea by the nationalist writer Maurice Barrès. Although originally established as a temporary measure, the insignia survived for a century in some form or another. It could be awarded to wounded soldiers, prisoners of war, to W A ... and here is a list > **[List of wound decorations by country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wound_decorations_by_country)** > > This list of wound decorations is an index of articles that describe notable awards given for wounds; usually, though not exclusively, to military personnel during wartime. Canada, Sweden and a number of others. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839/50 "2024-06-20T19:22:56Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > A former co-worker was in the Army in West Germany for two years. His service started in early 1975 and overlapped with the last 30 days of the war so is considered a Vietnam Era Vet and got a medal for that. He loved to proclaim his status every time he was about to be fired. Probably received the National Defense Service Medal. Anyone who serves honorably during specific times of armed conflict or national emergency are awarded the medal. I have been awarded it twice. I’m kind of a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839/51 "2024-06-20T19:26:23Z")
A good friend of mine was a JAG for twenty years, mostly in the Reserves. Never deployed. He didn’t even realize he was eligible for the second one for over a year and was technically out of uniform that whole time. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2024, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839/52 "2024-06-23T07:01:44Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > From what I’ve heard, though, in Israel, for instance, someone with four honors would be considered very highly decorated. Case in point: this is Lieutenant General (later Prime Minister) Ehud Barak, the most highly decorated soldier in Israeli history: [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Ehud_Barak%2C_Chief_of_General_Staff.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Ehud_Barak%2C_Chief_of_General_Staff.jpg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-a-purple-heart-awarded-us-army/1002839.md?page=2)