In 2009 and 2014, shootings at Fort Hood, TX, left 16 dead and more than 40 wounded.
Specialist Dennis Weichel died on March 22, 2012, in Afghanistan when a U.S. armored vehicle hit him after he had moved an Afghan girl to safety.
7 Marines were killed in a mortar explosion during training in Nevada in March 2013. 7 other Marines and 1 sailor were also injured in the blast.
In these and many other cases, since the wounds and deaths were not the direct result of enemy action, Purple Hearts were not awarded.
Purple Hearts recognize combat deaths and injuries, and should remain so.
We call on the President and the Secretary of Defense to create new ways to recognize non combat related injuries and deaths for service members, with possible retroactive dating for discharged veterans.