Some Vets Want To Change Award Criteria

Some Say Psychological Illnesses Like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Should Count Towards Purple Heart Awards

(CBS)  When Army Captain Luis Montalvan was on his second tour of duty in Iraq, he was ambushed near a Syrian border crossing.

"As the attackers slashed me with their knives, I fired off several shots from my pistol and killed him, then the other attacker got up and started advancing" Montalvan recalled to CBS News correspondent Randall Pinkston. "I sustained blunt force trauma to my back. I was essentially paralyzed."

Last summer, Montalvan was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder - PTSD.

Today he experiences flashbacks. "I'll hear something that reminds me of a gun shot or an explosion and I'll automatically reach for my M4," said Montalvan.

Of more than a million and a half U.S. military who've served in Iraq and Afghanistan, 300,000 have symptoms of PTSD, according to a Rand Corporation study.

For his service and his injuries, Montalvan has received more than 30 military commendations and medals, including a Purple Heart. But the Purple Heart is for his physical injuries - not PTSD.

Some veterans think that's unfair.

Former Marine Lieutenant Robert Muller, a Vietnam vet who was wounded in the the line of duty and has been bound to a wheel chair ever since, has a Purple Heart.

"Took a bullet through the chest and that qualified," said Muller.

As head of a veteran's advocacy group, Muller thinks PTSD victims should also be eligible for the Purple Heart, a medal traditionally only given for physical injuries, not psychological illnesses.

"We're not talking about an illness, we're talking about an injury," said Muller. "If you go to war and you have psychic trauma, that's injury."

Montalvan, now a graduate student at Columbia University, disagrees.

"There's a distinction between engaging the enemy and those who suffer psychologically from incidents that may in fact have nothing to do with contact with the enemy," said Montalvan.

The Purple Heart has been around for more than two centuries - General George Washington made the first presentations. The criteria for receiving the award have changed several times.

Last month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates opened up the possibility of awarding a Purple Heart to PTSD troops when he said it was "an interesting idea … clearly something that needs to be looked into."

But Muller believes Gates should focus on the larger issue - mental illness in the military.

"I am looking at all these troops that are going out there for four, five, six deployments and I'm telling you we are going to have a big problem," said Muller.

Supporters of changing the rules for awarding Purple Hearts say it could be one way of removing the stigma some soldiers feel about admitting they are suffering from mental illness.

[dobbershome]

I do not agree that the "purple heart" should go to PTSD victims. I believe most of all combat vets have some form of PTSD. How could you not?

[dowjones20k]

Thank you to all the brave men & women who serve our country ...

This is a subject that service memebrs should decide .. NOT the government knuckleheads.

And for you goofs who claim Iraq is "bush''s war" ..

dont forget you dopes ....

the majority of the US CONGRESS voted to authorize the president to INVADE IRAQ.

And many of those supporters are STILL IN OFFICE .. so dont blame just one individual ... it makes you look silly ...

[pistol073]

Joining the military to fight and defend America is about ones inner self of patriotism and not some medal or ribbon. This is yet another example of what can my country do for me rather than what can I do for my country and countrymen. Take pride in yourself for what you have done for your country and not some ribbon. If it is a must for you to receive a ribbon for a PTSD diagnosis then discuss with the DOD a special ribbon for it. Leave the traditional ribbons alone.

[pistol073]

Joining the military to fight and defend America is about ones inner self of patriotism and not some medal or ribbon. This is yet another example of what can my country do for me rather than what can I do for my country and countrymen. Take pride in yourself for what you have done for your country and not some ribbon. If it is a must for you to receive a ribbon for a PTSD diagnosis then discuss with the DOD a special ribbon for it. Leave the traditional ribbons alone.

[billatmsn]

I am William E. Dean and I am proud to be a 100% Disabled American Veteran.

[billatmsn]

I am a 100% DAV, who never got a purple heart. I was pointman, who got maimed by a rocket and never got a purple heart. I was captured by the enemy, and had the wholly defication beat out of me, and never got a purple heart. Bushit should resign.

[billatmsn]

Explain to america, why bushit got elected twice.

[billatmsn]

Bushit should do the US of A a favor, and resign now.
I am a 100% Disabled Veteran, and I do not have a "Purple Heart". I was captured and beat to *** by Enemy, and recaptured by my own troops. and I do not have a "Purple Heart". I sustained a direct hit by a rocket while point man, and do not have a "Purple Heart". Bushit would do the world a favor, and just resign.

[frankbowers]

This gw bush war of pleasure to prove he could do it is the big problem and this PTSD is a bucketofshit and he knows it. The reason it is so accepted today is to make the deserter in chief look good. Shame of the public for allowing this PTSD syndrome it soes not exist except in the minds of the drug addicts who wants a free ride to the drug store and free supply until death. I think it is a true scam pulled on the American Public to make this unneed war okay and a retirement plan for those who want a chest full iof ribbons. A life time to brag about how it was..

frank bowers of austin, tx

[caldwellptr]

I thought the Purple Heart was retired after it was determined that John Kerry was not deserving of the honor. Because if he has a Purple Heart and did not deserve it then there certainly must be others that have received the medal and are not deserving. The criteria for awarding the medal must have been flawed in the past and must be flawed now.

[msay3]

Give me a break. You might as well just issue a purple heart to anyone that goes overseas. You want to see what PTSD really is, bring up WW I shell shock on the internet and take a look at some of the video clips and read some of the cases. Unless you''''re that bad, quit crying and looking for a hand out and get on with your life.

Posted by oldgunnyjim at 12:52 PM : Jun 15, 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[msay3]

Posted by sheila1346 at 05:26 PM : Jun 15, 2008

Thank you for your post :)

[msay3]

How can this government NOT change award criteria...? PTSD is very real, can disrupt lives as much as a physical injury!! These warriors of ours deserves all the respect and dignity that this government and country can give them...Why should they have to fight to have their disorders recognized with the purple heart? Those men didn''t go over there with PTSD, it was acquired from being exposed to the most inhuman acts of war.....This country sent them there, this country needs to stand behind them 100%!!!!

[sheila1346]

As a retired nurse who worked in a veteran''s hospital psych ward for a while I can tell you PTSD is a very real injury. A physical injury is a trauma to the body and PTSD is a trauma to the mind. Do not think a human being can handle the amount of stress and trauma some of these people are subjected to in war and come out unscathed. War is hell may sound like an old adage but it is also very real. I have worked with vet''s from WWI, WWII, Korea and Viet Nam as well as some from places you have never heard of. A few manage to lead a fairly normal life outwardly but the inward trauma remains and usually leaves emotional scares that affect them and their loved one''s forever. I have a brother in-law who was one of the sweetest people I have ever met before he went to war, he has spent the last 40 some odd years suffering with such trauma and guilt he goes from one suicide attempt after another never managing more then a few months out of the psych hospital at a time. His whole existence is a living nightmare, the horrors he saw and participated in have eaten him up alive and his family has had to suffer right along with him. Anyone who thinks "They just need to get on with their life" needs to spend a little time volunteering in a vet''s hospital. I do not support this war however I never forget that so many men and women for what ever reason are putting their lives on the line and need all the support we can give them.

[ethomas1965-2009]

Posted by Watcher269


All Republicans should be lined up alongside the President and VP and shot for not supporting our troops - you pathetic F''''in Morons!

All Republicans do is LIE! If you Vote Republican - you vote against American Troops and you vote Against America!

Scumbags!


Watcher269 How are you qualified to judge whether on not any republicans not supporting the troops? Have you ever Served? Have you ever sent a care package to the troops? Have you ever written a letter to any soldier and encouraged him/her? Tell us what YOU are doing to support the troops? remember it is the veteran that gave you the right to free speech.... not the lawyers....

[barbaraf4]

"barbaraf4, You have to admit Bush stole their valor -
- He signed the Stolen Valor Bill to prosecute posers, few have been prosecuted if any... And Bush himself ran from Active Duty." Posted by j-whitman
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saying Bush stole their valor was not my statement. I simply said read the book. It is mostly about Vietnam, but it is a pretty good example about how others have tried to exploit the veterans. I went to high school with Jug Burkett.

[hwy1702]

I would also support taking away medals from politicians who failed to learn the lessons of Viet Nam, like McCain who thinks Viet Nam could have been won by telling bigger lies, just as he does Iraq.
Posted by j-whitman at 11:06 PM

j-whitman....You keeping opening that big mouth of yours without evidence. Where is the evidence McCain is %u201Ctelling bigger lies%u201D. 2/3 of Vietnam is without running water, electricity, sewers, toilets, education, and freedoms because of jackasses like you. America put its tail between its legs and ran from Vietnam because America has to many chicken sh_its like you.

[jdubs63]

Omnibus66...Real Medical care and benefits are given by the VA.you are just at the wrong VA

[curious_mind]

Has anyone noticed that every story of mental health ills and every psycho out of control lately was preceeded by actions or inactions by the very shrinks that claim they actually know what is best for everyone.
The poor souls fighting now are there on extended or repeat tours of duty because the shrinks said it would not cause harm. They lied. They created intollerable situations which destroys minds and as you may have guessed will give them plenty of business when the war is over. Of course all of the drugs that soldiers are taking now while on duty will contenue after the war is over so they are trapped for life. Corruption.
And of course they even lied about the suicide rates. It seems someone would write about this corrupt trade and expose it for the fraud it is. Our world has no use for these drug pushers.
Of course we have the college shooters arguement but I will just save that for another time.

[oldgunnyjim]

Give me a break. You might as well just issue a purple heart to anyone that goes overseas. You want to see what PTSD really is, bring up WW I shell shock on the internet and take a look at some of the video clips and read some of the cases. Unless you''re that bad, quit crying and looking for a hand out and get on with your life.