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outsidethebeltway.com - 1/9/2009
No Purple Heart for PTSD
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The Defense Department has ruled that service members who wish to be awarded the Purple Heart will continue to have to get themselves shot or killed, just like in the old days. The Pentagon has decided that it will not award the Purple Heart, the hallowed medal given to those wounded or killed ...

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The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan:  Mental Wounds

democracyarsenal.org - 1/10/2009
No Heart for PTSD Sufferers
— democracyarsenal.org — There was a rather dispiriting item in the New York Times today about the Pentagon's decision not to award Purple Hearts to soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the Pentagon, those affected by PTSD do not merit ... (more) No Heart for PTSD Sufferers

Comments vote down The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan found this 1/10/2009found this
usmcvta.org - 1/10/2009
Purple Heart Criteria
— usmcvta.org — The following criteria governs award of the Purple Heart in ALL branches of service, not just the United States Army. The text here is taken directly from AR 600-8-22, 25 February 1995 and Public Law 104-106 - Feb. 10, 1996 (sub-paragraphs have been ... (more) Purple Heart Criteria

Comments vote down Political Animal found this 1/10/2009found this
Purple Heart Is Ruled Out for Traumatic Stress
nytimes.com - 1/10/2009
Purple Heart Is Ruled Out for Traumatic Stress
— nytimes.com — The Purple Heart will be given for physical wounds only. (more) Purple Heart Is Ruled Out for Traumatic Stress

Comments vote down Political Animal found this 1/10/2009found this
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Mental Wounds
The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan — James Joyner agrees with the Pentagon that the Purple Heart should not be awarded for PTSD: While I take PTSD more seriously than Stacy McCain, who asks “What next? Medals for dysentery?” I share his credulity that this was even under serious consideration.  To award the Purple Heart for psychological scars would be a slap in the face to the long line of combat wounded who have earned the medal the hard way, instantly cheapening it. I find both judgments devoid of a real understanding of trauma and its profound mental effects. The ...

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