Purple Heart

Hey! The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the United States who are "wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces". Did every single soldier who was killed in action during the Second World War receive a Purple Heart?

 

They are entitled to it, wether or not they actually physically recieved the medal is another matter. Being "awarded" a medal can mean anything from having your records updated to include the award (medal) to actually having the medal pinned on your chest. There are some service members who recieved the Purple Heart and were awarded the medal (had it pinned on them) and there is no record of it in their personnel file . I am sure that there are just as many who had the medal added to their personnel files and never physically recieved the medal.

 

All Purple Heart recipients or their next of kinn received and receive a document of the Purple Heart being awarded with an extract on it of the text mentioned in the General Orders. Their records, like the discharge document and service record are only a timeframe and only include those decorations that were already awarded at the time the document was made and were known to the maker. Later awarded decorations or decorations that were not known to the maker of the specific document was not included although the decoration actually was awarded.
Also were and are the Purple Heart awarding published in the General Orders. This however does not mean that every Purple heart that was awarded, also actually was presented to the recipient or the next of kinn.

Awarding= the decoration is bestowed to the recipient
Presentation= the actual medal was presented

 

I am asking because I am doing research on the men of the 16th Infantry Regiment who were killed in action and some of them were awarded the Bronze Star Medal, but no Purple Heart.

Example: Alfred E. Dunmire, ASN: 13023572, Cambridge American Cemetery.
http://abmc.gov/search/wwii.php

 

The Bronze Star without the "V" for Valor, was awarded to everyone that had enough time in combat. It may be that PFC Dunmire did not die in combat and so wasn't eligible for the PH. People died in many ways - he could have died in a traffic accident in a rear area or something like that.

 

Yup, but the CIB is awarded for time in combat. I think it's six months in a combat zone, but I may be wrong about the duration.

Late in the war, they authorized the Bronze Star (without "V" device) for everyone with a CIB.

There may be reasons for not getting the CIB, and thus the BS, for bad conduct or something like that even if you had the time .

 

I did some more research on PFC Dunmire, and his death was indeed non-battle related (DNB).

 

It has nothing to do with being in a "combat zone". You can be in a combat zone and not be eligible. 1.)You must be assigned to an infantry unit engaged in ground combat. 2.) You must have personally, actively engaged in ground combat. 3.)Be an infantryman and satisfactorily perform their duties.

 

The Purple Heart has nothing to do with either the Combat Infatryman's Badge or the Bronze Star medal w/ or w/out "V". The Purple Heart is awarded for soldiers injured as a reult of combat with the enemy and the injuries required the care of a medical officer.

The CIB is awarded for soldiers whose primary duty is that of Infantryman (700 series Job Code)and ere involved in direct contact with the enemy for at least 45 days.

The Bronze Star :

 

I've obviously confused the Combat Stripes (six months in a war zone, in any capacity) worn on the sleeve, with the CIB which is strictly an infantry award for actual direct combat service - thanks for straightening that out!

At any rate, PFC Dunmire would have received the Bronze Star (sans "V") for earning his CIB.

This all raises a question of my own on the criteria for the Purple Heart. For example, my research on the 30th Division reveals a lot of men who were killed or wounded by allied aircraft, often in rear areas. Would these men get the PH? Men lost hands and feet, or even died from hypothermia in the Ardennes while not actually in direct contact with the enemy.

What is the criteria for combat related deaths and injuries vs non-combat related?

 

I think Wiki answered it more concisely than I could

 

Maybe this will help, the formal regulations:

Eligibility criteria for the Purple Heart Medal is as follows:

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.

(5) Examples of injuries or wounds which clearly do not qualify for award of the Purple Heart are as follows:

(a) Frostbite or trench foot injuries.

(b) Heat stroke.

(c) Food poisoning not caused by enemy agents.

(d) Chemical, biological, or nuclear agents not released by the enemy.

(e) Battle fatigue.

(f) Disease not directly caused by enemy agents.

(g) Accidents, to include explosive, aircraft, vehicular, and other accidental wounding not related to or caused by enemy action.

(h) Self-inflicted wounds, except when in the heat of battle, and not involving gross negligence.

(i) Post traumatic stress disorders.

(j) Jump injuries not caused by enemy action.

(6) It is not intended that such a strict interpretation of the requirement for the wound or injury to be caused by direct result of hostile action be taken that it would preclude the award being made to deserving personnel. Commanders must also take into consideration, the circumstances surrounding an injury, even if it appears to meet the criteria. Note the following examples:

(a) In case such as an individual injured while making a parachute landing from an aircraft that had been brought down enemy fire; or, an individual injured as a result of a vehicle accident caused by enemy fire, the decision will be made in favor of the individual and the award will be made.

(b) Individuals wounded or killed as a result of "friendly fire" in the "heat of battle" will be awarded the Purple Heart as long as the "friendly" projectile or agent was released with the full intent of inflicting damage or destroying enemy troops or equipment.

(c) Individuals injured as a result of their own negligence; for example, driving or walking through an unauthorized area known to have been mined or placed off limits or searching for or picking up unexploded munitions as war souvenirs, will not be awarded the Purple Heart as they clearly were not injured as a result of enemy action, but rather by their own negligence.

c. A Purple Heart will be issued to the next of kin of each person entitled to a posthumous award. Issue will be made automatically by the Commanding General, PERSCOM, upon receiving a report of death indicating entitlement.

d. Upon written application to Commander, ARPERCEN, ATIN.- DAR-P-VSEA, 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63132-5200, award may be made to any member of the Army, who during World War 1, was awarded a Meritorious Service Citation Certificate signed by the Commander in Chief, American Expeditionary Forces, or who was authorized to wear wound chevrons. Posthumous awards to personnel who were killed or died of wounds after 5 April 1917 will be made to the appropriate next of kin upon application to the Commanding General, PERSCOM.

e. Any member of the Army who was awarded the Purple Heart for meritorious achievement or service, as opposed to wounds received in action, between 7 December 1941 and 22 September 1943, may apply for award of an appropriate decoration instead of the Purple Heart.

f. For those who became Prisoners of War after 25 April 1962, the Purple Heart will be awarded to individuals wounded while prisoners of foreign forces, upon submission by the individual to the Department of the U.S. Army of an affidavit that is supported by a statement from a witness, if this is possible. Documentation and inquiries Should be directed to Commander, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPCPDA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471.

g. Any member of the U.S. Army who believes that he or she is eligible for the Purple Heart, but through unusual circumstances no award was made, may submit an application through military channels, to Commander, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPC-PDA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471. Application will include complete documentation, to include evidence of medical treatment, pertaining to the wound.