Do you think service members with PTSD deserve a purple heart and why?

CPL John Peterson — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:07:34 -0400

I know it's a touchy subject but do you think service members with PTSD deserve a purple heart and why?
I'm a Iraq vet and I've seen PTSD vets who live in difficulty everyday and seen PH recipients live perfectly find so where should a line be drawn.
Ty

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2015 3:20 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:20:41 -0400

By the regulations, Battle Fatigue (now known as PTSD) is not an authorized criteria for the Purple Heart.

Examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:
(1) Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action.
(2) Injury caused by enemy placed mine or trap.
(3) Injury caused by enemy released chemical, biological, or nuclear agent.
(4) Injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accident resulting from enemy fire.
(5) Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2015 3:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:39:44 -0400

Resiliency...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2015 3:53 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:53:35 -0400

According to AR 600-2-88 PTSD is not a criteria for award of the purple heart.

"h. Examples of injuries or wounds which clearly do not justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows: ... (9) Post traumatic stress disorders."

Response by TSgt James Arnold made Jun 18 at 2015 3:55 PM

TSgt James Arnold — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 15:55:09 -0400

Sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me. IF a person is suffering everyday with the battle within, they should be warranted to get a purple heart. Battle fatigue is not the same as a one-time event that could happen, like in my case, a few hours after arriving in country.

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jun 18 at 2015 3:58 PM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 15:58:15 -0400

Most Purple Heart recipients that I have met do not really relish the award due to the circumstances in which they earned the award

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 4:13 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 16:13:20 -0400

CPL John Peterson, I have PTSD and have since the sixties. I just didn't know it. I finally am getting help via the VA, since 2000. I see vets with missing limbs, paralyzed, in wheel chairs, using a cane, etc. NO, I don't deserve a PH. I wouldn't wear it if I got it. There are Regs and Rules, in order to get any medal. If you don't qualify, you don't wear it.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 4:38 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 16:38:33 -0400

General Patton would rise from his grave and "bitch slap" anyone and everyone who even thought of promoting this idea. I wholeheartedly agree.

Response by MSgt William Lucas made Jul 9 at 2015 12:59 AM

MSgt William Lucas — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 00:59:06 -0400

Combat acquired Post-traumatic Stress Disorder has long been considered an injury. There was even suggestions by the Joint Chiefs of Staff that PTSD be changed to PTSI. If the injury is connected to enemy action, such as SCUD attacks, enemy contact, etc. then the individual should be considered for award of the Purple Heart.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 11:03 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 11:03:41 -0500

in some countries ie canada soldiers are awarded the purple heart for ptsd this award is lower than the purple heart but is still recognized

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2015 6:37 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 18:37:33 -0500

people with ptsd suffer eveyday with the anxienty of being in closed spaces they need to be in open air and their AO sucured since my return i dont go to concerts or anything eles that is confined i only go to places that i can easily get away from until, you suffer from this you'll never understad, i spent 31 yeaers in the military and it sucks this is not something that will majically go away its with me everyday, just as well as the sm's that lost limbs or what ever it is an injurury to the brain, it does'nt deserve a ph by defenition but it is still a service conected disorder and should be recopgnized

Response by SPC Josh McCoy made May 23 at 2018 1:33 PM

SPC Josh McCoy — Wed, 23 May 2018 13:33:14 -0400

No ptsd is not something that merits a Purple Heart. I have both the medal and the condition. How people handle it had nothing to do with if they deserve such a medal. This discussion along with the other ones about ptsd qualifying for a Purple Heart has got to stop. All these new generation self entitled soldiers need to stand down on awards requests. Be proud of what you earn and trust me you don’t want a Purple Heart. It sucks getting one. But I’m sure I know why people want them for PTSD and it’s a bullshit reason just for an extra few dollars off Uncle Sam. Either you meet the criteria for the award or you don’t. And stop bringing this discussion up because all it’s going to do is fester the idea to degrade the award just like the Bronze Stars being handed out like candy these days. Serve with honor and sense of duty and not for the glory. Friggin POGs!

Response by SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D made Apr 13 at 2019 11:12 AM

SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 11:12:08 -0400

Agreed. Know of soldiers in Viet Nam who received the PH for self inflicted minor wounds. How many of those guys commit suicide verses PTSD sufferers. PH for PTSD vets!

Response by SrA Jared Hall made May 17 at 2019 9:47 AM

SrA Jared Hall — Fri, 17 May 2019 09:47:19 -0400

Where were all of you nay-sayers when they started giving Bronze Stars for desk duty?

Response by SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D made May 18 at 2019 6:21 AM

SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D — Sat, 18 May 2019 06:21:06 -0400

PTSD is a devistating illness and results in more. Suicides than physically injured vets. All in favor for the PH for PTSD

Response by SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D made May 26 at 2019 4:34 PM

SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D — Sun, 26 May 2019 16:34:44 -0400

I have never seen anything so ridiculous in my entire life. Those of us who have actually gone to war, fought to stay alive, saved the lives of our brothers in battle, carried friends out of fire fights with their body parts hanging out and both of us covered in blood, hearing bullets wiz by our heads and praying that the Lord save our lives and a bunch of selfish, greedy people who call themselves "soldiers" are arguing that those trying to cope day and night with agonizing mental memories should be denied a PH for what they have endured and endure every moment of their lives, are igotistically motivated to their own self interests. These are not true conbat vets that I fought with who would lay down their life for you let alone see you recognized for the mentally injured hero you are. Those "people" opposed to the PH for PTSD vets must have fought for a different country because they should never be thought of as a combat brother.

Response by SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D made Sep 8 at 2019 10:18 PM

SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 22:18:06 -0400

If it resulted from combat...... ABSOLUTELY
The entire body is controlled by the brain which was subjected to major trauma affecting every component of the anatomy whereas physical impairments are localized. Seems to me that if your entire being is changed foreved, you are deserving of recognition for a life changing event that has destroyed your being.

Response by A1C Riley Sanders made Sep 10 at 2019 8:56 AM

A1C Riley Sanders — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 08:56:30 -0400

I am a Vietnam Vet. with PTSD,
If you served our Country during War Time Boots on the ground & a VA Doctor has diagnosed you with PTSD a traumatic event . Then the Purple Heart association need to hang their heads in shame by not awarding the PTSD sufferer with the PH.

Response by SGT Ed Matyjasik made Dec 18 at 2019 3:23 PM

SGT Ed Matyjasik — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 15:23:25 -0500

I have heard many stories about people who served in Germany or other places other than Vietnam. And they were diagnosed with PTSD because they were so afraid that they MIGHT get orders to go to Vietnam. …. Yah sure give them a Purple Heart!

Response by 1stSgt Linda Meherg made Dec 19 at 2019 1:07 AM

1stSgt Linda Meherg — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 01:07:22 -0500

N ot a physical injury.