Purple Hearts

Shelly Zimbler and many others have been working hard to help former POWs receive the Purple Heart medal that we feel they so certainly deserve.

According to Shelly, we owe a debt of gratitude to NY senators Bill Larkin and Hillary Clinton for the establishment of the National Purple Heart Museum. Senator Larkin has also spearheaded the establishment of the Purple Heart Stamp and is key to keeping the stamp alive as the price of stamps goes up.

The Museum has a Wall of honor and all Purple Heart Recipients, from any branch of service, are eligible for a place on the wall. Service people from every branch of the service are on duty at the museum. For greeting people and

The predecessor to the Purple Heart medal, Badge of Military Merit, was first awarded by George Washington during the Revolutionary War. After three medals were awarded, the medal fell into disuse.

 The medal was reestablished in 1932 and was redesigned with a silhouette of George Washington. It was to be awarded for "Being 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", according to the current criteria.

 The medal can be awarded for any military event involving:
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.”

 Further refinements of the criteria define a wound 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. 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.”

 The obvious problem that POWs have, especially those held by the Japanese, is that even if needed, there was probably not treatment by a Medical Officer. If there was a medical officer, he was probably not allowed to keep records. There were no commanders keeping track of the beatings or starvation or other damage inflicted by the Japanese.

The American POWs from the Pacific were treated poorly by the their government. It not only signed away their rights to compensation and ordered the men not to talk about their years of confinement, they didn’t make an effort to document what the men had endured while the information was fresh in their minds and physical symptoms of beatings and starvation could have been documented more easily.

 Shelly reports that so far only 2 former POWs have received the Purple Heart, but everyone should try.

He says that applicants need to try to provide the following:
To replace a missing medal: a variety of materials are acceptable including the DD-214 or other discharge form listing awards, medical forms, a photograph of the back of the medal bearing the recipient's name, or other supporting  materials.

To apply for a medal you feel should have been received: In addition to the discharge form and medical forms they are also looking for photographs, telegrams, letters from home, news articles or other materials that help put a face and a story with each recipient's name.  We have heard that affidavits by other former POWs help, also.

The following website should get you to the Purple Heart Museum and get you the documents that are necessary to get your name or that of a family member on the wall.

http://www.thepurpleheart.com/faqs/default.aspx_

(http://www.thepurpleheart.com/faqs/default.aspx)

If you need help gathering your materials, Shelly will be glad to help.

(shelzanne@aol.com) If you apply and get turned down, please contact your Senator or Representative. Be a squeaky wheel and make your presence and interests known.

It is important to receive what is owed to you. The more who apply, the more awareness you raise, and the better chance all have to get the award.

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