Purple Heart

[Randy Haskin]

Most people who have been awarded military medals don't think they deserve any special recognition for whatever actions they took or wounds they received.

As Muddy said -- anyone standing to the left or to the right of the awardee could just have likely been awarded that medal. Courage, valor, and heroism are rarely the traits of extraordinary people, but traits of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.

[Robbie Stuart]

Most people who have been awarded military medals don't think they deserve any special recognition for whatever actions they took or wounds they received.

As Muddy said -- anyone standing to the left or to the right of the awardee could just have likely been awarded that medal. Courage, valor, and heroism are rarely the traits of extraordinary people, but traits of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.

That was Dam well said Randy!

[ACarey]

I requested a Purple Heart for an 86-year-old vet who was shotdown on his third mission. He bailed out and broke his leg and was captured; therefore, injury due to enemy action. His request was denied. I stated he wouldn't have broken his leg if his plane hadn't been shot down. He did get the POW MEdal.

[billtate]

I must humbly apologize, I knew I must have misunderstood what Muddyboots was saying. I am a veteran, but of the Cold War, and never went into harms way; so you can see that I have very limited knowledge of such things as “wounded in action” or Purple Hearts. And I agree entirely that the bit of ribbon will never replace Uncle Bill but it is around 65 years later to remind someone, my Grandchildren, what it means to be an American. Yet, without that ribbon there would not have been any “evidence of his valor” in our family’s case. He left no survivors other than my wife’s aunt. I am glad that Aunt Thelma kept that bit of ribbon under her bed for fifty some-odd years and did not throw it away. I am sure you can appreciate the need for future generations to know the sacrifices made by people like Uncle Bill or Muddyboots, or others whether from wounds or death. I felt that your bit of ribbon was no different than a three million dollar rebuilt Mustang, by the fact that they are both symbols of what has been and what it will take for the future. That is what History is all about. Otherwise, why have museums or the CAF.
As to “fate” well we will just have to agree to disagree on that.
Please do accept my sincere apologize for the mischaracterization of your words and I ask your pardon in this matter.
Cheers Bill

[Randy Haskin]

As to “fate” well we will just have to agree to disagree on that.

So, you feel it is fate that your uncle died on that date, at that time, at that place? Any particular reason for that belief?

In my experience, combat is a series of completely unrelated random events that are linked together by cause-and-effect, not necessarily by any greater purpose.

[Mudge]

I requested a Purple Heart for an 86-year-old vet who was shotdown on his third mission. He bailed out and broke his leg and was captured; therefore, injury due to enemy action. His request was denied. I stated he wouldn't have broken his leg if his plane hadn't been shot down. He did get the POW MEdal.

Here's an excerpt from the award criteria:

(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:
(d) Injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accident resulting from enemy fire.

Criteria seems pretty clear to me. But keep in mind you were probably dealing with some bureaucrat who'd never seen the business end of a firearm.

Mudge the displeased