Can you get a Purple Heart for some dumb azz accidently shooting you in combat?

Question

I was shot in '03 by this PVT who was clearing his weapon after a search & recovery. I'm fine now just wondering & if I rate & where do I begin.

Answer 1

No, you do not qualify! Though I don't think anyone has asked for Pat Tillman to return his!

"The Executive Order also stated that the Purple Heart was to be awarded to persons who “are wounded in action against an enemy of the United States, or as a result of an act of such enemy, provided such would necessitate treatment by a medical officer.”

http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/celebrate/purple-heart.asp

Answer 2

I guess that depends if the dumb a** that shot you was an enemy or not. Since you said in this case the guy was a PVT on our side, and that the operation was in fact over and this could not be constued as a friendly fire accident during battle I'd have to vote no on your Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is SUPPOSED TO BE for combat related injuries sustained in battle, not the idiot next to you in the tent failing to clear his weapon properly and he accidentally shoots you. I say SUPPOSED TO BE because John Kerry has three, yet there is no record of him ever being treated for a combat related injury and he was only in country in Vietnam for three months.

Answer 3

After reading all the other responses, I had to put in my 2 cents.
I was wounded during Desert Storm by "friendly fire." But the report that was put in stated otherwise. I ended up getting a purple heart (which has no meaning to me).

If the person who puts in the paperwork words it correctly, could get you a purple heart. But, do you really need one? I don't.

Mine would have more meaning if my injuries came from my enemy instead of a dumb-*** officer who can't recognize a friendly and pulled the trigger. Yours was done by accident, mine was on purpose.

Answer 4

Dude, unless you got it from enemy action you don't frickin rate it, end of story. If you want to go chase it down and try to get yourself one that's on you, just remember you'll be dishonoring the original intent of the medal and those who've received it for the real sh*t. If you think it'll "look cool" you're wrong, if you want it to get free drinks at weddings, you're wrong . I rate sh*t for having attended to the wounds of the other Marines in my vehicle in spite of having been injured myself but you won't see me chasing a damn ribbon I know what I did and so do the Marines on that patrol and that's all that counts, colors on your chest won't make you a better man. But you're probably not a Marine, so I shouldn't expect you to understand.

Answer 5

Yes, if Kerry can get his PH for a paper cut you can surely get one for being shot.

All joking aside, if you were shot during war time conditions then you are eligible for the PH. Contact the Veterans Administration and they should be able to help you and answer all your questions.

Answer 6

John Kerry got the purple heart for getting hit by his own grenade shrapnel.

So, ya. I'm pretty sure you could.

Hope you shoved his rifle down his throat.

Answer 7

yes you do.. hel you can get the purple heart for a car accident or breaking your finger playing football as long as you are on active orders.. and if he shot you the hel yea you should get the purplr heart.. use the chain of command.. privates are dumb as rocks..

Answer 8

A Purple heart is awarded to those who were wounded during wartime service, who pulled the trigger is irrelevent.

Just ask those killed by "friendly fire"

Answer 9

Yes but asking for the reward makes it meaningless-

Answer 10

It wasn't during an active engagement with the enemy. So, the answer is no.