It is interesting how some veterans claim the PH is given out like water and yet I know two veterans of WWII who never recieved an award though I think any rational person would think they certainly deserved it.
Lt. Gordon Wood pilot of a C-46 Commando while dropping two sticks of paratroopers from the 17th AB Division during Operation VARSITY was injured by shrapnel when his aircraft was hit by two FLAK rounds. One destroyed the port engine and the other struck the fuselage and destroyed the hydraulic systems. The piece of shrapnel in question flew the length of the cargo bay and struck the back of his seat. It did not penetrate the armor completely but it did break a rib and left Gordon with a bruise that stretched from his neck to his rearend. He was not able to sit down for over a month. The second individual I know of is the father of a good friend of mine. He was an infantryman on Bougainville fighting against the Japanese and lost his thumb to a grenade fragment. For some inexplicable reason he has never recieved a PH for that wound.
Certainly there were a few politically motivated PH's awarded during the VN war but I think they were the exception and not the rule.
Now if you want to talk about the award of the Bronze Star I think you have a very valid point.
As far as the initial question goes I am a Wound Stripe supporter...and I am a yank!
Gary
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Originally Posted by wright241
A Canadian Purple Heart.... I wonder whether the people lobbying have any real experience of what they are talking about. I would personally be glad to be still alive - no disrespect intended as I never saw any active service as a soldier, but I can recall the disdain held by British soldiers that I have met from WWII, Korea, Borneo, Oman, NI etc etc about the US Purple Heart and all the other medals they seem to get - wound medals were handed out for finger cuts and in no way reflected what a soldier may have gone through. I am not sure whether this a stoical British viewpoint, but I wouldn't feel that a medal for getting wounded was the right thing in the first place. Still being alive + a possible campaign decoration wold be enough. I always thought that wound stripes were a good way of showing what a soldier had been through.
All the "real" soldiers I have met (bless 'em, 'cos most of them have since passed away) thought it was hilarious and certainly wouldn't have worn this with as much pride as they did for hard won "real" medals.
I worked for 7 years with a USMC vet who saw combat in Korea & Vietnam and other places that he doesn't like talking about - and I don't dig)- he's getting on a bit, but still as as sharp as a razor - you all know the type - and even he has just had a good laugh at this. Quote "they used to hand these out like candy" - his words not mine. Even non-combatative guys in his unit used to get them.
Apologies for the rant, I've seen some lovely pictures of badges today which are absolutely fantastic and then the mood got spoiled by me getting a picture of an incredible officers CBP and its not mine...
david
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