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It's common enough that it has a name - "stolen valor", and a federal law passed that makes it illegal to falsely claim you have a medal with the intention of obtaining some benefit from the claim. Why do guys do it? I guess they want to be though of as Rambo, maybe it helps them get laid. As was discussed, those in combat don't talk about it and when they do they certainly don't brag about it. Sadly, when anyone talks about there combat experience I just shake my head and say "uh huh", I assume they are lying. Even those you know that are in the military, the "tooth to tail" support ratio being what it is, its very unlikely they heard a shot fired in anger in the entire military career.
Purple Hearts are very difficult to get. They are one of the Crown Jewels of a combat award.
Anyone who tells you they have a Purple Heart must be assumed to be lying unless they have all evidence in hand to backup the claim...Some folks will even try to exaggerate their story for the government in order to qualify for it. “I was under a barrage of gun fire with mortars falling left and right. I managed to evacuate 5 people as I was shot in my leg.”
Actually, this is NOT true.
Basically, all that is required is that one receive some sort of injury that requires medical attention as a direct result of enemy hostilities. One could be standing in the chow line when an enemy mortar goes off and sends a fragment into your butt, a medic removes it and, presto, you win a PH. An 'act of heroism' is in no way a condition of receiving the PH.
Ironic that you would make such a statement in a thread about lying about the PH, but I chalk it up to ignorance rather than intentional deceit.
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor How many Purple Hearts have been awarded?
"As there was not a consistent record kept since the award was established in 1932, we can only estimate the total number which have been awarded. At this time, it estimated that there may have been 1.8 million Purple Hearts awarded."
Basically, all that is required is that one receive some sort of injury that requires medical attention as a direct result of enemy hostilities. One could be standing in the chow line when an enemy mortar goes off and sends a fragment into your butt, a medic removes it and, presto, you win a PH. An 'act of heroism' is in no way a condition of receiving the PH.
Ironic that you would make such a statement in a thread about lying about the PH, but I chalk it up to ignorance rather than intentional deceit.
I don't think so. My friend Frank was injured times multiple in WWII and didn't get one. He did receive 5 Bronze Stars, though. He had a steel plate in his head and many problems because of those injuries. He racked up years in VA hospitals and nursing homes while they tried to fix him. No Purple Heart.
As was discussed, those in combat don't talk about it and when they do they certainly don't brag about it. Sadly, when anyone talks about there combat experience I just shake my head and say "uh huh", I assume they are lying. Even those you know that are in the military, the "tooth to tail" support ratio being what it is, its very unlikely they heard a shot fired in anger in the entire military career.
Wow. Plenty of combat veterans relate true accounts of their experiences--assuming anyone talking, even reverently, about a combat experience is a liar is an insult I hope you avoid by not rolling your eyes and saying "uh huh".
Your "tooth to tail" comment is inaccurate. I cannot believe you are unaware or skeptical of the thousands of support troops who moved supplies and provided services through hails of SAF, RPG, and IEDs--including fighting through contact, engaging enemy troops, and all terrible things one must do in combat, like rendering aid to a dying buddy.
There are always going to be fakers, liars, and braggarts. Always some goat roper sitting at the bar regaling an audience with his battle stories--but they are far outnumbered by real and truthful veterans. Assuming everyone telling a combat story is a liar is no different that assuming someone sitting quietly is somehow authentic by omission--neither is universally indicative of truth.
LOL. A few years ago, I was seated at a dinner beside an older dude because the host knew we were both veterans. Dude told me a few of his exploits in Viet Nam--I was intrigued by his stories, but based on my own experiences, knew that fantastic and unusual are liberally laced into the sights and sounds of combat. Looked his name up when I went home. One bad-ass retired Sergeant Major.
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that is much better
