"Mortimer Schnerd, RN" wrote in message
. com...
Andrew Chaplin wrote:
AIUI, they have already issued Memorial Crosses
(http://tinyurl.com/wt6x) to the mothers or widows of Sgt Léger, Cpl
Dyer, and Ptes Smith and Green. Pte Green's mum was the Silver Cross
mother at the service at the National Cenotaph and was in the same
role at Nova Scotia's ceremonies in 2002. I suspect that Purple
Hearts were not in order since their deaths were not in the face of
the enemy, nor did they result from enemy action.


I don't think so. Check out AR 600-8-22 / 25 February 1995

From http://www.purpleheart.org/Awd_of_PH.htm :
(6) It is not intended that such a strict interpretation of the requirement
for
the wound or injury to be caused by direct result of hostile action be taken
that it would preclude the award being made to deserving personnel. Commanders
must also take into consideration, the circumstances surrounding an injury,
even
if it appears to meet the criteria. Note the following examples:

(a) In case such as an individual injured while making a parachute landing
from
an aircraft that had been brought down enemy fire; or, an individual injured
as
a result of a vehicle accident caused by enemy fire, the decision will be made
in favor of the individual and the award will be made.

(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.

Thanks for saving me the trouble of looking it up. Subpar (6)(b) was precisely
the circumstances I had in mind when I made the suggestion.

George Z.


--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN


http://www.mortimerschnerd.com