MAJORITY OF VETS "PARTICIPATING" IN POLLS OPPOSE AWARD FOR COMBAT TRAUMA
BUSH AND SWIFT BOAT VETS CLAIM MEDAL GIVEN TO PHONY WOUNDED
by G. Duff
Secretary of Defense William Gates, perhaps the best qualified official serving in Washington today, favors awarding the coveted Purple Heart to soldiers and veterans diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress. However, polls at veterans sites, from both political spectrums (veterans sites often either attract "activist" or "followers" or are even funded by either political party) have shown that the "military community" is, in general, opposed to this award.
The clearest point I can make is that, compared to "traumatic amputations", the most visible injury a combat veteran can receive, awards for PTSD will be toughest to establish.
Veterans who receive awards for PTSD (extent of disability is a critical issue yet to be discussed), in most cases, have to establish significant records of intense combat and, often, go thru a punishing ordeal of surviving "gauntlet after gauntlet" in order to be properly diagnosed and get thru the va system.Over 90% of Vietnam Veterans with PTSD were not diagnosed until over 25 years after onset with many spending a decade in the claims process. It would be a joke, hardly funny at all, that purple hearts could be given simply for surviving va neglect.
A study would show that we have suffered more wartime deaths from ptsd, exacerbated by the adversarial, convoluted and often abusive claims, process than from wounds due to enemy action. Veterans from previous wars, though subjected intense and primitive combat, are not even being considered. Fairness and common sense again are thrown out the window as with earlier bush gi bill updates designed to "spit on" vietnam vets. Shame, brought on by a government of Vietnam era "Chickenhawks" is showing its ugly face again.
President Bush himself is the greatest critic of the medal. His claims (thru surrogates) that Senator Kerry’s purple hearts were falsified brings into question the credibility of the medal itself. Though bush didn’t serve, he points out that medals are commonly given for "slip and fall" incidents and that a purple heart may actually be a sign of cowardice and lying. We thank the "Swifties" for this and their job exposing phonies, especially themselves
I currently have friends asking me to support their requests for Purple Hearts they believe they were denied from physical wounds in combat. The medal is that important to many as it gives a real acknowledgement by America to the sacrifice of many. The award itself is and always has been highly controversial. Given that the medal has been received on numerous occasions by people showing no more sign of injury than the average "handicap parking permit" abuser but is also shared by all of our honored dead and seriously maimed, a credibility gap had been established long before President Bush’s attacks on medal holders.
Putting PTSD in the same classification as a combat death of loss of multiple limbs is not reasonable. However, awarding the same medal to a psychologically traumatized veteran of many combat engagements that is given to a rear eschelon type with a "slip and fall" or "salad fork injury" is unfair also. What we end up creating is a wider version of what has existed for many decades, and, perhaps rightly, pointed out by President Bush. Too many "politically astute" soldiers, often with a bit of "rank and influence" manage to "lobby" themselves into medals.
Bush’s attack on the Purple Heart is one of the few points he and I agree on. A solution would be to require varying classifications of the award with a frame indicating a "Purple Heart First Class" on the ribbon and a reissue of previous awards and all new subsequent awards in Sterling Silver with "Combat "V" " to those who are:
- Killed in Action
- Suffer permanent debilitating injuries from combat wounds
- Are wounded during acts of conspicuous gallantry
- Wounds that cause significant disfigurement.
The "Bush Purple Heart Reform Act" as we should call it will establish a "Purple Heart 2nd Class" for:
- Any and all wounds received from "direct fire" but falling short of criteria listed above.
- Wounds require significant hospitalization and rehabilitation but with a full recovery.
- Psychological trauma leading to significant loss of "capability" and quality of life.
The new Bush program will authorize a "Purple Heart 3rd Class" for:
- Wounds received by indirect fire of seriousness not covered by "first class" criteria
- Self inflicted wounds in all but the most hostile combat environments and supported by two witnesses as accidental.
- Wounds requiring no hospitalization, even though from direct fire.
- Combat related psychological trauma of signficant but "non-debilitating" nature.
- Injuries caused by circumstances more appropriately described as "accident" or "misadventure".
After the extensive attacks Purple Heart holders suffered in the recent elections, this new criteria will establish a fair and justifiable award that will honor all award winners and not lump combat dead and those with minor superficial injuries in the same group.
Under these circumstances, those with PTSD or minor injuries need not feel guilt or remorse for wearing an award that is earned and deserved but, perhaps, not in a manner comparable to the sacrifice of others.
I can see where I would feel far less guilty wearing several 3rd class awards earned thru combat related clumsiness, idiocy and carelessness rather than having to continually explain why I claim so many "serious wounds" but seem to have the regeneration capabilities of Dr. Who or Duncan McLeod of HIGHLANDER.
The last thing we want to see again is vet attacking vet over undeserved Purple Hearts, bringing potential shame and doubt on the honor of those who have given much or all or worse, their survivors. We also, of course, need to remove the need to lobby for combat awards from, not only politics, but from qualifation for medical care or disability compensation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Gordon Duff is a U.S. Marine Veteran and commentator on social and political issues.
Gordon Duff posted articles on VT from 2008 to 2022. He is a Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War. A disabled veteran, he worked on veterans and POW issues for decades.
Gordon is an accredited diplomat and is generally accepted as one of the top global intelligence specialists. He manages the world’s largest private intelligence organization and regularly consults with governments challenged by security issues.
Duff has traveled extensively, is published around the world, and is a regular guest on TV and radio in more than “several” countries. He is also a trained chef, wine enthusiast, avid motorcyclist, and gunsmith specializing in historical weapons and restoration. Business experience and interests are in energy and defense technology.
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