"Bill Shatzer" wrote in message
...

Basically crap, Steven. Army Regulations re the Purple Heart:

(b) Individuals wounded or killed as a result of
"friendly fire" in the "heat of battle" will be
awarded the Purple Heart as long as the "friendly"
projectile or agent was released with the full
intent of inflicting damage or destroying enemy
troops or equipment.

I'd assume the Navy regulations are essentially similar.



There apparently was no battle to be in the heat of.



In any case, if I recall correctly, it was freakin' -impossible-
to wound oneself by firing an M-79 round "too close".


Kerry's experience suggests otherwise.