Extracted from AR 600-8-22 25 February 1995 and Public Law 104-106 - Feb. 10, 1996 visit
Link Removed: 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.
