Am I the only one that is ashamed of their Purple Heart? All I did was ride in a vehicle that was attacked.

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 12:03:46 -0500

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 17 at 2016 12:13 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 12:13:01 -0500

You need to get rid of the guilt my friend. You earned it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 12:15 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 12:15:36 -0500

Why would you feel ashamed?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 12:18 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 12:18:53 -0500

Unless you shot yourself during the attack - not no, but *$$# NO

Response by SSG Jesse Cheadle made Feb 17 at 2016 12:31 PM

SSG Jesse Cheadle — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 12:31:19 -0500

Purple Hearts are not the Ibuprofen equivalent my friend. That feeling of guilt is not founded based on the outcome of the event. Sure there is much worse that could have happened. I wanted worse for the CMB I was awarded. I came to terms for the outcome of myself, my Soldiers and casualty. Hold your head high Sir and know that you are honored in your service and sacrifice. Do not get sucked in to the could of should of would of scenario. What needs to be taken from your experience is your resilency and intestinal fortitude to continue the mission. Reflection is normal. Guilt is normal. There comes a time when there may be more that needs to be adressed than just a simple reply such as ours on this site. I know there is a stigma amongst the Officer Corps seeking BH services. You gotta take care of yourself Sir so you can continue to take care of others. God speed.

Response by SSG Jesse Cheadle made Feb 17 at 2016 12:34 PM

SSG Jesse Cheadle — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 12:34:24 -0500

Lastly, you volunteered in an all volunteer military. An elite few of the millions that take it for granted. Had you not recieved the PH would the question be, "Should I have earned it". Perspective.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 12:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 12:44:07 -0500

CPT Rodgers, there is a reason that you were awarded the Purple Heart. You deserve it, and the approving officials go over these things with a fine tooth comb. Thank you for your service!

Response by SSG Keith Cashion made Feb 17 at 2016 1:38 PM

SSG Keith Cashion — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 13:38:17 -0500

CPT Bruce Rodgers - Let me say that I think you are looking at this wrong. You didn't just ride in a vehicle that was attacked. No matter what the reason why you got into that vehicle, the thing is you did. You got into a vehicle that was in a country that is in a hostile AOR, knowing that there was the possibility that you could have been injured or killed. This is what we know when we raise our right hand and swear to defend the Constitution. You also knew this when you stepped off that plane in that country. Accept the fact that you were injured and that your Country recognizes the fact that you did so in support of others freedoms. Let no one ever tell you that you deserve less. As for you own personal feelings, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. You did what the Military asked you to do and should be proud of it.

Response by SGT William Howell made Feb 17 at 2016 2:02 PM

SGT William Howell — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 14:02:31 -0500

CPT Bruce Rodgers When my 1SG told me he had put me in for my Purple Heart I told him I did not want it. It was for heroes and I was not one of those guys. Top told me he was not only putting me in for it, but I had better accept the fact that I had spilled my blood for the American way that makes me a hero. I still don't feel like a hero, but I have 2 step sons that think I am.

So let me say this, as a Purple Heart Recipient you are a hero and my family thanks you for your service.

I would highly suggest you join the Military Order of the Purple Heart. They will support you and you are surrounded by people that are just like you. Please feel free to message me at anytime. I have been in your shoes.

Response by SFC Bryson Amaral made Feb 17 at 2016 2:04 PM

SFC Bryson Amaral — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 14:04:13 -0500

Sir, never be ashamed of anything, you sir are a Soldier who fought and served our country honorably. Cherish that forever.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 2:12 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 14:12:28 -0500

All you did was bleed for your country. So many have done far less.
Wear it with pride.

Response by CPT Quentin von Éfáns-Taráfdar made Feb 17 at 2016 2:23 PM

CPT Quentin von Éfáns-Taráfdar — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 14:23:26 -0500

You were ounder fire and were wounded so you earned it. When I was in VN I saw teh PH awarded for much less.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Feb 17 at 2016 2:27 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 14:27:03 -0500

Bruce there is nothing to be ashamed of, being in a vehicle or being on a foot patrol makes no difference when attacked by the enemy; I suspect your issue has more to do with the fact that you were not able to return fire; your pride is hurt.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 3:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 15:42:13 -0500

There is no shame in surviving being combat wounded. The requirements for the award are very straight forward. And it simply means you were combat wounded. Nothing more or less. As so many have struggled to grasp, there is no shame in living through what happened to you. Regardless who else did or did not make it home. Honor their memory with pride in them and yourself. Live every day as if they are watching your every move. Because they are. Do not feel ashamed of an award. You did what everyone else there did. Your job. Be proud of that sir. Perspective is EVERYTHING.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Feb 17 at 2016 4:00 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 16:00:38 -0500

You're a hero in my mind, CPT Bruce Rodgers.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 4:56 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 16:56:26 -0500

Skipper, you can be many things, but ashamed is not one of them. Semper Fidelis

Response by SGT Eliyahu Rooff made Feb 18 at 2016 10:11 AM

SGT Eliyahu Rooff — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 10:11:50 -0500

Hey, no one planned on getting wounded, whether it be a bullet wound during a firefight or a mortar round dumped on your barracks while you're asleep. If an enemy attacks and you're wounded, you get the PH. Period. Nothing to be embarrassed about or ashamed of.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Feb 18 at 2016 11:07 AM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 11:07:30 -0500

You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, Sir. The Purple heart criteria basically amounts to "wounded or killed in the performance of duty". You don't even have to be recommended for it, it's automatic on a qualifying event. Wear it with pride. Sacrifice is sacrifice.

Response by CPT Jeff Reichardt made Mar 22 at 2016 1:30 PM

CPT Jeff Reichardt — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 13:30:51 -0400

No. You met the standard.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2016 11:22 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 May 2016 11:22:43 -0400

This question resonates with me as I question mine every day. I received the Purple Heart in April 2015 for wounds received during the shooting at Fort Hood on 05 Nov 2009. Due to administrative errors (my award order abs certificate contained the wrong last name and won't unit of assignment) the corrected order reads June of 2015.

I do not feel that I earned or deserve this award. Despite there being precedence from the September 11, 2001 attacks for awarding the Purple Heart to Service Members wounded on American Soil as a result of a terrorist attack, the Pentagon and White House still officially maintain that this was SC act of workplace violence. I disagree with that designation, but cannot change the facts. In order to receive the award, Congress legislated a change in the wording of the requirements. So, it's not really a "real" Purple Heart.

I'm very torn on this. I feel that the incident warranted the award and should have been properly categorized as a terrorist attack. Since it wasn't, I feel like a cheat every time I wear it,and have had to defend wearing the medal in more than one occasion because I do not have a combat patch or campaign ribbon (due to being mobilized stateside rather than deployed down range).

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Aug 22 at 2017 8:16 PM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 20:16:32 -0400

Combat wounds do not discriminate as to how you got them.
You shouldn't either.
Thanks for your service and wear it with pride.

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Aug 22 at 2017 9:29 PM

PVT Raymond Lopez — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 21:29:28 -0400

Back in 1966 we had a second lieutenant in our ward in the 2nd Surgical Hospital who was VERY ashamed of his Purple Heart! He had a really tough time sitting down I swear to God that he was shot by a VC with a real sense of humor!!!!!

Response by CPL Robert Gowler-Peterson made Nov 23 at 2017 8:32 PM

CPL Robert Gowler-Peterson — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 20:32:42 -0500

Don't feel that way if you got hurt and it met the qualifications for the medal then it's rightfully yours.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 23 at 2017 9:14 PM

SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 21:14:31 -0500

Don't be ashamed my man be proud that you served and wear your award with honor.

Response by CPL Robert Gowler-Peterson made Nov 20 at 2019 9:12 PM

CPL Robert Gowler-Peterson — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 21:12:36 -0500

I was on the Ground, guarding an IED when it went off, I took shrapnel to my leg. I have been in 27 separate ied explosions but only have this one Purple heart. Lol I don't think anyone should feel ashamed of receiving this particular medal. Most soldiers never see combat, or are in harm's way. You did well, now you get the respect for it with that medal. I have lost so many friends, colleagues, and some associates, all from enemy fire, I give them honor, by using those reccorces that come with possessing such a medal. You will have to excuse me, for not recognizing it as an award as I did not win this medal.