Medal for the wounded?
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Medal for the wounded?
.. quoted from ARRSE
It struck me that someone could be shipped back with a Blighty one before earning a Campaign medal, which, with all the Jubilee gongs doing the rounds, and commendations for keeping stationary stores all shiny whilst deployed, seems unfair. Surely, one for the few undergoing months of painful rehab wouldn't go amiss?
Medals can be a hot topic here and some folk really need to take a chill pill. We hear about KIA all the time and but we never really hear the stories of the wounded, and god knows how many have been wounded in Iraq, Afghanistan and wars past. The introduction of the Elizabeth Cross was a good thing in my view. It can't bring back the dead but it gives the relatives something, that on rememberance it highlights that they have lost a loved one in War. I saw this today. They have done their Country proud and for some blokes, they may have been out there less than the requirement to qualify for the OSM (Unless it has changed).
Institute a medal for HM Armed Forces wounded in action. - e-petitions
The Americans have had the purple heart for years (not that we want to be like them and have a medal for everything) and other Armies have a similar thing. It has probably been discussed before and put to bed and the reason I think is probably the wounded 'dont want another f**kin medal!' and living with the wounds and the scars of war is bad enough than having a medal to constantly remind them of the time they lost their legs etc.
Institute a medal for HM Armed Forces wounded in action. - e-petitions
The Americans have had the purple heart for years (not that we want to be like them and have a medal for everything) and other Armies have a similar thing. It has probably been discussed before and put to bed and the reason I think is probably the wounded 'dont want another f**kin medal!' and living with the wounds and the scars of war is bad enough than having a medal to constantly remind them of the time they lost their legs etc.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Al R, when we were talking about medals before I think someone said that you would automatically qualify if you were wounded and repatriated.
A clasp however similar to the FI campaign medal might be a way. Then you have the issue of what constitutes a wound medal.
Some criteria would be clear but how about a splintered bum from a bog seat?
A clasp however similar to the FI campaign medal might be a way. Then you have the issue of what constitutes a wound medal.
Some criteria would be clear but how about a splintered bum from a bog seat?
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PN,
I didn't read that thread.
Yes, a clasp or oak leaves could do it - we had wound stripes in World War One so this isn't even a new thing, an example of medal dilution or coming over all American. We recognise people for the effort and sacrifice in running the motorbike club, but not for taking some shrapnel.
I didn't read that thread. Yes, a clasp or oak leaves could do it - we had wound stripes in World War One so this isn't even a new thing, an example of medal dilution or coming over all American. We recognise people for the effort and sacrifice in running the motorbike club, but not for taking some shrapnel.
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What about non-physical 'wounds' such as PTSD? That can be a career stopper just as easily. Would that qualify?
What would constitute the criteria for such an award?
Do we really need to go down the American route of giving out more medals?
What would constitute the criteria for such an award?
Do we really need to go down the American route of giving out more medals?
We are having similar arguments now about PTSD being a qualifiying "Wound".
I tend to think the Purple Heart should be limited to physical wounds as it has been traditionally.
I got mine in a somewhat conventional manner....got shot and burned. I also have been diagnosed as having PTSD. I do not think woundings like PTSD amount to the kind of "Wound" we wish to "honor"....despite it having long term effects just as some of the physical wounds do.
Our Purple Heart is not a replacement for a service Ribbon or Campaign Medal....it is simply a way of marking a Service Member who was wounded in direct combat against an armed enemy.
Our time limits for Campaign Medals and the like is simple....one day qualifies....so if you get Wounded the day you arrive on-site in the designated "combat area"....you qualify for the Purple Heart and the Campaign Medal.
I do wonder about all the Medals and Ribbons that are being issued these days....as it demeans the "legitimate" awards that are earned by valorous service in actual combat. When have to add the "V" device for Valor to some awards that are now given for mere service and not heroic acts....it really does demean those that were earned under the "old" system.
My Grandfather, as a Private, was nominated for the Medal of Honor and wound up with a DSC....if he had been an Officer, based upon Medal Citations of the time he would have received the Medal. The "politics" of miltary award systems oft times cause more problems than can be acknowledged by those in charge. If they would keep the rules simple, make the system focus upon rewarding those that do extraordinary things, who are wounded, and make the awards standards uniform, we would all be better served.
Last edited by SASless; 26th Aug 2012 at 15:42.
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As oak leaves etc are already used, surely a heart shaped Rosette on the ribbon would be the way to do it.
Al R - You are right about WW1 wound stripes, but they also had them in the British army in WW2 (not sure about the other services). They were a short gold stripe worn vertically on the lower sleeve. I'm not sure when their use was discontinued, but I can't see why something of the kind couldn't be re-introduced now. As well as the American Purple Heart already referred to, the Germans had wound badges in 3 classes, depending on the number of wounds, and the French had medals for the wounded, so we would not be exceptional. I think a symbol on the medal ribbon is a better idea than a stripe on the uniform simply because that remains after the individual has left the service, and they could be awarded retrospectively.
Nice to see your medal Sasless - interesting to see it is named. Examples I have seen have been unnamed as far as I recall - did you have that done privately?
Nice to see your medal Sasless - interesting to see it is named. Examples I have seen have been unnamed as far as I recall - did you have that done privately?
Except (may be wrong) some folks could be injured in their first week of deployment and not qualify for the medal. Or would they make an exception. Just getting the clasp wouldn't be very good. I suppose it simply depends upon writing the criteria correctly.
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During the Great War, personnel dismissed from the military ( it might have just been the Army) received the Silver War Badge. Something like that?
It only wiki but: Silver War Badge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Duncs
It only wiki but: Silver War Badge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Duncs
Last edited by Duncan D'Sorderlee; 26th Aug 2012 at 17:06.
Except (may be wrong) some folks could be injured in their first week of deployment and not qualify for the medal. Or would they make an exception. Just getting the clasp wouldn't be very good. I suppose it simply depends upon writing the criteria correctly.
That's from the criteria for the Iraq Medal (Op TELIC). I think you will find similar criteria for other campaign medals.
There was this in WWII which was known as the "King's Badge". My grandfather got one for getting smashed up on his dispatch riders bike on D-Day. It is worn in your buttonhole on discharge.
It came with a nice certificate as well...
It came with a nice certificate as well...
Last edited by Lima Juliet; 26th Aug 2012 at 17:34.
I think the point was covered earlier in the thread
the full qualifying period is not required if the qualifying service is brought to an end by death, wounding or other disability due to operational service.
I think the point was covered earlier in the thread, but to confirm, the full qualifying period is not required if the qualifying service is brought to an end by death, wounding or other disability due to operational service.
That's from the criteria for the Iraq Medal (Op TELIC). I think you will find similar criteria for other campaign medals.
That's from the criteria for the Iraq Medal (Op TELIC). I think you will find similar criteria for other campaign medals.
Campaign medals are awarded for contribution to a campaign. Whether an individual is wounded or not during that contribution is rightly not distinguished.
Valour medals are awarded irresespective of whether the individual survived/was injured/died.
What's wrong with that simple and noble system?
An award like the US Purple Heart would blur that distinction and would give an incentive to those who self-injure themselves to avoid front-line service - why would the UK wish to copy that? Who would qualify for one anyway, who didn't justly qualify for a Campaign or Valour medal?
I would, however, support the return of the likes of the WW1 civilian award to those whose military career has been cut short by injuries during their service.
Re the King's badge. Leon, it is always nice to see something new. In 30 odd years of dealing in militaria I have seen dozens of those King's badges, and their WW1 equivalent, the War Service Badge (sometimes incorrectly called 'the Wound Badge', but I have never seen a certificate like the one you illustrate. I'm guessing that whereas most of the badges have survived, 95% of the letters have been lost over the years, so I am glad you still have your grandfather's.
an award like the US Purple Heart would blur that distinction and would give an incentive to those who self-injure themselves to avoid front-line service - why would the UK wish to copy that?
That has got to be the most stupid, insulting, and bogus comment I have yet read here.....and that takes some doing!
Please do explain how the American Purple Heart Award can do that....please do tell us.
You made the statement.....now back it up with some facts.
Unless you do....I will just have to accept the fact that you are witless to the extreme.
Self Inflicted Wounds don't get Purple Hearts.....they do get Court Martials.
Tanker....that is not mine. That is just a photo I pulled off the web.
I was wounded in June '70....a PH was pinned to my pillow while I was in the warm embrace of Madam Demerol and it was put into my Army issue Personal Effects bag. The next day I awoke from another Liasion with Miss Demerol to find another PH pinned to the bed and freaked out....thinking I had been wounded a second time. The explanation was in the hustle/bustle of the Evac Hospital....someone had failed to replace the name card on the end of the bed and a visiting 1st Cav General had mistaken me for a Cav Trooper whose bed I had been placed in as he was sleeping elsewhere. That bag got lost en-route to Japan where I was sent for treatment of my burns. The PH I have now arrived last year when I did the "One Time Replacement" issue of my Awards and Decorations.
Last edited by SASless; 26th Aug 2012 at 22:47.
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I would disagree with a recognition of a wound in the form of 'an award'. Without wanting to be inflammatory I think that you already get recognition for 'going' to war and those that merit it get extra awards for their efforts in the form of service or gallantry awards. I personally think that an award for being wounded is almost akin to rewarding the enemy for a good shot.
After all, if you get wounded doing something brave enough to get a gallantry award then hopefully you may get one of those. If you get wounded doing nothing particularly brave then you get the same campaign medal as the (slightly luckier) bloke next to you. Seems fair to me.
As ever, just my opinion.
After all, if you get wounded doing something brave enough to get a gallantry award then hopefully you may get one of those. If you get wounded doing nothing particularly brave then you get the same campaign medal as the (slightly luckier) bloke next to you. Seems fair to me.
As ever, just my opinion.
Last edited by orca; 26th Aug 2012 at 22:47.
Orca....so you lay down the base of fire that covers a fellow Squaddie who gets a Gong for taking out the Machine Gun nest....you get wounded or killed....he gets the Gong....you get a body bag.
Now that is a real fair deal.
At least in our system....the grieving family gets a Letter from the KIA's Commanders (Platoon and Company), A pretty Vinyl Folder with a medal, ribbon, and citation citing the circumstances, and a dead child from the government.
Yet you would think that excessive?
I find nothing the government can do will ever replace that loved one.
I firmly believe that if you just show up....you earn recognition...if you fight you deserve more....and if you get wounded or killed....that should be more than a Telegram or Visit from a few Officers detailed the job.
We come from different perspectives and I do not care to criticize your system or how it came to be. I do find it interesting that your system does not have something like the PH.
Wasn't it Napoleon that said something about motivating Soldiers with a some fancy ribbons?
Now that is a real fair deal.
At least in our system....the grieving family gets a Letter from the KIA's Commanders (Platoon and Company), A pretty Vinyl Folder with a medal, ribbon, and citation citing the circumstances, and a dead child from the government.
Yet you would think that excessive?
I find nothing the government can do will ever replace that loved one.
I firmly believe that if you just show up....you earn recognition...if you fight you deserve more....and if you get wounded or killed....that should be more than a Telegram or Visit from a few Officers detailed the job.
We come from different perspectives and I do not care to criticize your system or how it came to be. I do find it interesting that your system does not have something like the PH.
Wasn't it Napoleon that said something about motivating Soldiers with a some fancy ribbons?