TOPIC: After every war demands are made that the Eligibility Requirements for the Purple Heart Medal be expanded so that almost anyone who suffered an injury or trauma while in uniform be authorized. The Purple Heart is America's oldest military award. It is restricted to individuals who were wounded either by enemy fire or friendly fire. (Friendly Fire is defined as any incident in which a member of a friendly force mistakes an American soldier for the enemy and wounds or kills him, or when an American's attempt to kill an enemy is projected back upon himself.) Currently there are several groups requesting that the "enemy" component of the PH regulations be amended to include any person who injures, physically or emotionally, an American serviceperson. For example, some women are demanding they be awarded the PH after being raped by an American male who serves in the military. Another group is demanding that they be awarded the PH for sustaining injuries received during an act of crime. Others are demanding the PH for suffering emotional strain on active duty (PTSD). The largest group demanding authorization are those who suffer any workplace injury (not involving combat) while serving in a combat theater; while a similar though smaller group is requesting they be authorized the PH if they suffer an injury when working in a combat support activity that is well outside the combat theater.
QUESTION 1/6: Should an American military person who is injured during an act of crime on a military base that was committed by another American serving in the military be authorized the Purple Heart?
QUESTION 2/6: Should an American serving in the military who is raped by an American also serving in the military be authorized the Purple Heart medal?
QUESTION 3/6: PTSD is clinically defined as a self-perpetuated mental illness. Should person's diagnosed with a mental illnesses be authorized the Purple Heart?
QUESTION 4/6: Should a person who contracts a venereal disease while serving in a hostile country be authorized the Purple Heart?
QUESTION 5/6: Should a spouse serving in the military who is injured during a domestic abuse incident either by their military spouse or by intervening Military Police be authorized the Purple Heart?
QUESTION 6/6: Should a military prisoner convicted of a crime who suffers an injury inflicted by a prison guard or another prisoner be authorized the Purple Heart?