*The article is from May, '08, but I thought it might make for an interesting topic to debate.*

A quick question tossed at Defense Secretary Robert Gates — Should veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder receive the Purple Heart? — has created a maelstrom in the blogosphere.
It seems the reasoning behind the idea — to lessen the stigma of mental health disorders — also works against the proposition.


The dust-up began May 2 when Gates was on a visit to Red River Army Depot, Texas. During a brief media availability, a reporter asked Gates if the Pentagon might consider awarding Purple Hearts to troops with combat-related PTSD.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/0...eptsd_051908w/

There is no debate here IMO, awarding the Purple Heart for PTSD is BS. Giving the same award to someone shot in the face, and to someone who is stressed out is BS.

I agree, but I wanted to present the topic for debate with limited personal bias.

Herk-- Nice thread! Interesting topic.

It looks like a distinction is being made between psychological damage and physical damage...

What if the soldier was a POW, subjected to awful things, but never showed any physical signs of mistreatment, only psychological?

Is that person eligible for a Purple Heart?

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Well using Sen. McCain as an example

Here are McCain's DD214 records recognizing the awards he received while serving in the
US Navy.

http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres...es,toolbar=yes

McCain was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star (combat v), and Navy Commendation (combat v) medal for his time as a POW.

I would agree that injuries sustained as a POW should meet the criteria necessary to be awarded a Purple Heart. However I think that the Purple Heart should be limited to physical injuries.
I guess that's really what this is about, are mental "injuries" sustained in combat equivalent to physical injuries.

It's really a case by case determination.

I neglected to post the current criteria for awarding of the Purple Heart.

Too long to copy & paste so here is the link if anyone is interested.

(The following criteria governs award of the Purple Heart in ALL branches of service, not just the United States Army.)
http://www.usmcvta.org/pheart/phcriteria.htm

and for Metrophobe's question~

"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: TAPCPDA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471. "

Yep, keep the purple heart for physical injuries. Whats next, applying for the purple heart after you pick up a nasty case of the clap from a Iraqi whore? (In which case, I want my purple heart)

I'd suggest you learn what PTSD is before making asinine statements.

I know exactly what it is.

And please, dont compare it to physical wounds that in some cases last a lifetime. I lost 2 fingers in Iraq, so dont try to lecture me on this subject. Any soldier will tell you the same thing.

I don't see why not. The artical is quite interesting, and I cannot understand why a soldier claimed he would be ashamed to wear it. Is having PTSD really something to be ashamed of, and is it really something that should make soldiers ineligable for a Purple Heart?
The soliders who come home and suffer from PTSD are incredibly brave. They've served their countries and done us proud - I don't think they should be denied a PH because they are affected by what they saw in war.

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Quote:

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