Paul it even depended whether or not the soldier even received one. In many cases even with severe wounds they did not. doesn't thouroughly answer your question though..............sorry for being so vague.
ask mr. 'im a nut case' john kerry about getting purple hearts, and how you can recieve one for cooking up stories to get your free ride home... sorry i dont try to rant but sometimes i cant pass it up
Thanks Erich; I know this soldier was entitled to one, but I just wondered whether they were named or not, as I am sure (?) I have seen named examples before. Perhaps this is done privately?
As far as I know the recipient received a certificate with a name and something along the lines of "for blood spilt in service of America" or something to that effect...
How ironic! I get on the forums looking for information on WWII and it's Vietnam stuff. Not 30 minutes ago I was at a "Vietnam Veterans Roundtable" discussion at my college campus. There were five guys (speakers/other Vietnam Vets in the audience)- 1. A retired AF Colonel shot down over N.V. and seven years in Hanoi Hilton, 2. A combat medic, 3. An RTO from the 1st ID, 4. Paratrooper from 179? Abn Brigade, and 5. Member of one of the 3500 Rangers (formerly LRRP's). An extremely patriotic discussion- they all said they were proud to be a part of that experience- I am glad I had the privilage to attend!!!
For all US military medals from the Vietnam era to today the process is roughly the same as follows: There are three paper items submitted: 1. The form awarding the medal that eventually ends up in the member's service record showing that the award was made. This form (it has a number but I don't recall it right off) is bureaucratic in nature and tells nothing of why the award was made. It just shows who signed off on it and that the award was made. This is the "official" record of the award. 2. The award summary page is usually a command form that is used to describe the nature of the reason for the award in some detail. It is sort of a form letter describing that the individual meets the award criteria. This letter is the one you need to see to know why the award was made and if it was justified. 3. The award wording for the certificate that goes with the medal. This is a very formalized brief statement that reads on the certificate: "To (rank / name of individual) for meritorious /valorous service while serving as....fill in the blank with what occured not to exceed a certain number of words / lines....By his / her noteworthy accomplishments, preseverance, and devotion to duty (rank / name) reflected great credit upon him / herself and upheld the highest traditions of the (branch of serivce). Signed...." This is the award as presented and read at the award ceremony (if there is one) and as given to the service member. Now, all three of these can be started by most senior enlisted (E-7 up) or by any officer for most, if not all awards. Of course, the higher the award the higher the individuals in the chain the award must be reviewed by. Lastly, there is some favoritism shown to rank, the more you have, the easier it is to get a particular award. I would say that the sole exception to this is the Congressional Medal of Honor which requires extreme bravery (usually resulting in the death of the awardee) and must be authenticated in great detail before it is awarded.
