Understanding the Purple Heart and Friendly Fire

The Purple Heart is a prestigious military decoration awarded in the United States to those who, while serving in the U.S. military, have been wounded or killed by enemy action. However, soldiers who are wounded by friendly fire, or "friendly fire," may also receive a Purple Heart. Friendly fire refers to attacks by friendly troops, ships, aircraft, or units on their own troops, ships, or units, often as a result of confusion or misidentification during the chaos of combat.

The Extent of Unrecorded Friendly Fire Incidents

According to various sources, about 90% of friendly fire incidents are not formally recorded. This is due to the complexity and chaos of combat situations where multiple weapons are firing simultaneously, making it challenging to isolate incidents of friendly fire from other combat engagements. Additionally, soldiers and units often avoid investigating potential friendly fire incidents deeply, as such an investigation could reveal that a comrade died or was wounded by their own side, which is emotionally troubling.

Eligibility for the Purple Heart - A Combat Injury Perspective

A soldier is eligible for the Purple Heart if they are wounded, regardless of whether the injurious fire is from the enemy or a friendly unit. However, the decision to award the medal in such cases can be complex. The process of determining whether a wound occurred due to friendly fire or enemy action can be challenging, and not every wound attributed to friendly fire is officially recognized.

Official Recognition of Friendly Fire Wounds

Up until 1985, friendly fire wounds did not automatically qualify for a Purple Heart. However, since 1985, the U.S. Army began recognizing wounds caused by friendly fire under the criteria for the Purple Heart. This change reflects a more inclusive approach to honoring all soldiers who have been wounded in combat, regardless of the cause.

Personal Experiences and Comments

Personal accounts from soldiers reflect the complex nature of determining whether a wound was caused by friendly fire or enemy action. For example, one soldier recounted a situation where a friend was near a misfired mortar that landed on a neighboring position, but the exact details went unrecorded due to the noise of combat. Despite the incident, his friend did not receive a Purple Heart, likely due to the lack of formal documentation.

Another soldier’s experience from the Vietnam War period highlighted that the criteria for awarding the Purple Heart have evolved over time. Prior to 1985, friendly fire wounds did not automatically qualify for the Purple Heart, but this has changed, reflecting a more nuanced understanding of combat injuries.

While the Purple Heart typically honors those wounded by enemy action, there have been instances where soldiers were wounded by friendly fire. The decision to award the medal in such cases often depends on the specific circumstances and the confidence of the individual involved in the decision, as evidenced by the personal accounts provided.

Official Information and Further Reading

For more detailed information on the Purple Heart and the criteria for its award, including cases involving friendly fire, refer to the official U.S. Army Human Resource Command (HRC) website. The HRC provides comprehensive guidelines and documentation that can clarify the process and criteria for awarding the Purple Heart.