Purple Heart
From FEInfobase
The Purple Heart was established by General George Washington at Newburgh, New York, on 7 August 1782, during the Revolutionary War of the United States of America on Earth. It was reestablished by the President of the United Federation of Planets per War Department General Orders 3, 2232 and is currently awarded pursuant to Executive Order 11016, 25 April 2262, Executive Order 12464, 23 February 2284 and Public Law 98-525, 19 October 2284.
a. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United Federation of Planets to any member of Starfleet or any civilian national of the Federation who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with the Federation Starfleet after 5 April 2217, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded:
(1) In any action against an enemy of the Federation.
(2) In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign power in which the Starfleet of the Federation are or have been engaged.
(3) While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the Federation is not a belligerent party.
(4) As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces.
(5) As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force.
(6) After 28 March 2273, as a result of a galactic terrorist attack against the Federation or a foreign power friendly to the Federation, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of Starfleet.
(7) After 28 March 2273, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the Federation as part of a peacekeeping force.
b. While clearly an individual decoration, the Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not "recommended" for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria.
(1) A Purple Heart is authorized for the first wound suffered under conditions indicated above, but for each subsequent award an Oak Leaf Cluster will be awarded to be worn on the medal or ribbon. Not more than one award will be made for more than one wound or injury received at the same instant or from the same missile, force, explosion, or agent.
(2) A wound is defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or agent sustained under one or more of the conditions listed above. A physical lesion is not required, however, the wound for which the award is made must have required treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record.
(3) When contemplating an award of this decoration, the key issue that commanders must take into consideration is the degree to which the enemy caused the injury. The fact that the proposed recipient was participating in direct or indirect combat operations is a necessary prerequisite, but is not sole justification for award.
(4) Examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:
(a) Injury caused by enemy phaser, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action.
(b) Injury caused by enemy placed mine, bomb, or trap.
(c) Injury caused by enemy released chemical, biological, or nuclear agent.
(d) Injury caused by vehicle or starship accident resulting from enemy fire.
(e) Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions.
(5) Examples of injuries or wounds which clearly do not qualify for award of the Purple Heart are as follows:
(a) Frostbite or trench foot injuries.
(b) Heat stroke.
(c) Food poisoning not caused by enemy agents.
(d) Chemical, biological, or nuclear agents not released by the enemy.
(e) Battle fatigue.
(f) Disease not directly caused by enemy agents.
(g) Accidents, to include explosive, starship, vehicular, and other accidental wounding not related to or caused by enemy action.
(h) Self-inflicted wounds, except when in the heat of battle, and not involving gross negligence.
(i) Post traumatic stressdisorders.
(j) Jump injuries not caused by enemy action.
(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 a case such as an individual injured while making a drop landing from a shuttle that had been brought down by 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.
(c) Individuals injured as a result of their own negligence; for example, driving or walking through an unauthorized area known to have been mined or placed off limits or searching for or picking up unexploded munitions as war souvenirs, will not be awarded the Purple Heart as they clearly were not injured as a result of enemy action, but rather by their own negligence.
c. A Purple Heart will be issued to the next of kin of each person entitled to a posthumous award. Issue will be made automatically by the Commanding General upon receiving a report of death indicating entitlement.
d. As noted in a above, the Purple Heart may be awarded to civilian nationals of the United Federation of Planets. These individuals must be serving under competent authority with Starfleet when wounded. Serving under competent authority with Starfleet will include those eligible persons who are employees of the Federation Government in a duty (pay or official travel) status when wounds are sustained. Examples of eligible individuals are as follows:
(1) Any Starfleet employee who is traveling outside of the continental limits of the Federation on PCS or temporary duty (TDY) aboard a commercial transport and wounded by galactic terrorists in an attempted or actual hijacking incident.
(2) A Starfleet employee in a Starfleet office building performing his or her job who is wounded by an explosive device detonated by galactic terrorists.
(3) A civil or foreign service employee from a United Federation Government Agency or Department attached to a Starfleet element performing intelligence, counter-terrorist, or other duties with the Army wounded by galactic terrorists.
(4) A Starfleet employee wounded in a galactic terrorist incident in which a soldier or soldiers are also wounded.