Lets look at the actual regulation governing issuance of the Purple Heart, shall we?
That will dispel the defamatory falsehoods certain posters here are spreading.
http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_8_22.pdf
Army Regulation 600–8–22
Personnel-General Military Awards
Purple Heart • 2–8, page 19-21
Originally Posted by part f
When contemplating an award of this decoration, the key issue that commanders must take into consideration is the degree to which the enemy caused the injury. The fact that the proposed recipient was participating in direct or indirect combat operations is a necessary prerequisite, but is not sole justification for award. The Purple Heart is not awarded for non-combative injuries.
Originally Posted by part h
Injuries or wounds which do not qualify for award of the Purple Heart include frostbite or trench foot injuries; heat stroke; food poisoning not caused by enemy agents; chemical, biological, or nuclear agents not released by the enemy; battle fatigue; disease not directly caused by enemy agents; accidents, to include explosive, aircraft, vehicular, and other accidental wounding not related to or caused by enemy action; self-inflicted wounds (e.g., a soldier accidentally fires their own gun and the bullet strikes his or her leg), except when in the heat of battle, and not involving gross negligence; post-traumatic distress disorders; and jump injuries not caused by enemy action.
Originally Posted by part i2
Individuals injured as a result of their own negligence; for example, driving or walking through an unauthorized area known to have been mined or placed off limits or searching for or picking up unexploded munitions as war souvenirs, will not be awarded the Purple Heart as they clearly were not injured as a result of enemy action, but rather by their own negligence.
All bolding, underlining, and coloring of text are my editing of the original text which has not been altered in any other way.