This is for Rob Singer.
The purpose of the purple heart is to award serviceman for injuries
received while in combat with the enemy. It is not awarded by how
badly one is injured, just in recognition of being injured.
Purple Heart
Paragraph 2-8, Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards)
25 February 1995
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.