Should a Purple Heart be authorized long after an injury if the service member refused evacuation and treatment was never documented?

1LT Neal Schwartz — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 16:52:09 -0500

Should a 79 year old Vietnam combat veteran be authorized a Purple Heart and the benefits that go along with it, some 50 years later? Injured, he refused to be medevacked and stayed with his artillery unit to keep it operational while supporting the 101st AB on Don Ap Bai (Hamburger Hill) after being knocked down and hit by incoming mortar shrapnel. 17 others were medevacked out, for some similar issues and his medic died two days later on a hospital ship from the incident. Subject has 5 or 6 stiches in his arm which were done quickly in the field by the Battalion Surgeon, and a split thumb that was wrapped and never stitched as others needed more pressing medical attention. Other minor shrapnel was pulled put of their bodies by their peers without much incident. The internal welt and scar tissue in his thumb had been bothering him for years, so recently the VA x-rayed it, find nothing there other than some excessive internal scare tissue inside creating some numbness and minor pain. They plan to surgically remove it and stitch it up properly to re-heal properly. From the x-rays they accidently discovered another 7mm piece of shrapnel still imbedded in his palm ("radial aspect of the third metacarpal") of his same hand, not an issue according to veteran, since he never even knew it was still there. Someone at the VA told him he should apply for a Purple Heart. He tried, and was told that minor issues do not qualify and must be assessed at an official aid station within a reasonable amount of time of the incident, and not just in the field by some medic (Fred Paddleford, he's on The Wall).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2021 6:46 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 18:46:26 -0500

Unfortunately, without documentation of treatment or sworn statements from witnesses...I don't think a PH will be given

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 28 at 2021 7:12 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 19:12:08 -0500

There is a retroactive award policy and process in AR600-8-22.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Dec 28 at 2021 8:53 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 20:53:11 -0500

If it can be proven then yes otherwise its unwise to do so.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Dec 29 at 2021 2:08 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 02:08:23 -0500

If there is documentation he was in battle and they pulled shrapnel out, award him the award. What are we going to lose taking care of a 79yo vet if we are wrong? What are we gaining if we take care of him? I spent 2003-2007 in Germany and it does not take much for the award.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 29 at 2021 8:29 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 08:29:09 -0500

Anything warranted or rated should be awarded regardless of time. The issue is that you need to have evidence and documentation to validate the claim. You can appeal claims and I would suggest doing that. The idea that all injuries are processed only by aid stations is an unrealistic expectation.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 29 at 2021 9:22 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 09:22:33 -0500

I mean, good luck proving it after this amount of time. Was the injury from Vietnam? Or was it drunkenly falling into the ball pit at a Chuck E' Cheese? Without direct, objective evidence of one versus the other, there's no case here.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 29 at 2021 1:40 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 13:40:48 -0500

It appears the Army has made its decision WRT awarding a Purple Heart. There might be an appeal process, but my guess is it won't change the decision. I suppose the Service Member could contact their Congress persons.

Outside of wearing the Purple Heart Medal, what benefits accrue to a Service Member because of award of the Purple Heart?

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Dec 30 at 2021 12:52 AM

SMSgt Bob W. — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 00:52:00 -0500

DOCUMENTATION, DOCUMENTATION, DOCUMENTATION. As you know, the military does NOT take your word for anything. He had a quarter inch piece of shrapnel in this hand and did not feel it for 50 years???? OK. What other "benefit" will he receive from having a "Purple Heart"? He has VA benefits? Write your Congressional Representative [for it is an election year] and see if they will run one through for him. Somewhere the "Military Hall of Records" should have the history of the battle. Good luck but don't hold your breath. Hope the surgery goes well.

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made Dec 30 at 2021 10:38 AM

SPC Steven Depuy — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 10:38:23 -0500

Tough thing. When my kid was in Iraq, he had removed his hearing protection to talk to the interpreter and an IED went off. He bled out of his right ear on and off for 3 years, they never did figure out why. After he went to Hood, he waited 6 months to see a specialist, who told him its not bleeding, come back when it is. They did rate him at Hood at 80% loss in one ear, and to this day he turns his head to hear me talk to him. But after waiting a year to get into the VA, he got tested and the guy claimed his hearing was fine. When the IED happened, he refused a purple heart, because he had friends die, and he felt this happened because he had been stupid. But I often wonder if he will be in the same situation in 40 years, having issues, wondering if the military will do anything about it now.

Response by SN Dale "CG" Veach made Dec 30 at 2021 2:05 PM

SN Dale "CG" Veach — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 14:05:10 -0500

If he has eye witness then he should submit and it should be granted. there is no time limit after the fact of the injury. My stumbling block ws like his, it was never documented in my medical records but I finally found my commanding officer (he was eyewitness) and after a letter from him to the awards committee, I was awarded the PH. My commanding officer from Nam presented it to me.

Response by CSM Thomas Ray made Dec 30 at 2021 2:09 PM

CSM Thomas Ray — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 14:09:55 -0500

Unfortunately, this happened quite regularly in Viet Nam; while there in 1970, the only way to prove you were wounded was to be medevaced to an aid station and then if you could find the paperwork. There was such a shortage that most were returned to the field if able. I was Medevaced three times for wounds and have one purple heart. We worked in 5 man teams, 3 teams out and one on the firebase for commo. We did not have any replacements available. As an eightteen or nineteen year old you weren't really concerned about the awards, just staying alive.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Dec 30 at 2021 5:17 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 17:17:48 -0500

Purple Heart is Priority Group 3, not 1