Capt. Antonio D. Brown and the Purple Heart
The Army Times speculates on whether or not Army Reserve Captain Antonio D. Brown should get the Purple Heart for his death resulting from the shooting in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida last weekend;
Capt. Antonio D. Brown wasn’t on duty or in uniform when he was shot dead early Sunday morning, one of 49 victims in what some have called the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. But the incident has been labeled a terrorist attack by both the White House and the Justice Department, and new award criteria that shaped the 2015 decisions to award Purple Hearts to victims of shootings in Chattanooga (earlier that year) and at Fort Hood (in 2009) could apply regardless of the service member’s duty status.
There is also the case of the shooting in Little Rock, Arkansas of Private William Andrew Long and Private Quinton I. Ezeagwula – Long was killed and Ezeagwula was wounded – they were both awarded Purple Hearts earlier this year. They were on temporary hometown recruiter duty, fresh out of basic training and on a smoke break when they were shot. But this Orlando case more closely resembles the La Belle Disco bombing by Libyan terrorists in Berlin, West Germany on April 5th, 1986. 39 victims were awarded Purple Hearts for their wounds, according to the Associated Press archives.
The United States on Monday awarded Purple Heart medals to 39 U.S. soldiers who were wounded in the April 5 La Belle discotheque bombing in West Berlin.
In ceremonies attended by Richard Burt, the U.S. ambassador to West Germany, the medals were presented to the soldiers for wounds received in the service of the United States.
All the soldiers honored have recovered from their injuries.
Burt flew to Berlin on April 30 to attend ceremonies awarding the Purple Heart to a soldier who was critically wounded in the bombing. Both the soldier’s legs had to be amputated, and he remains in critical condition.
Thanks to Bobo for the Army Times link.
Category: Army News
I knew Antonio. Huge loss that really hit home. Good original story by AT.
Condolences on your loss.
Sorry to hear that. Condolences.
Hondo and Jack: Thanks. Still in shock.
Condolences to you and CAPT Brown’s family.
I would say no. The Purple Heart recipients in those other cases were attacked because they were in the military. (La Belle discotheque was targeted because it was known to be frequented by U.S. servicemembers). CPT Brown was not specifically targeted, and his death had nothing to do with his (reserve) military status; he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The same can be said of many injured during war via IDF, Hayabusa – simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Still, I’m not sure I view a PH as appropriate here, either. In the other incidents Jonn noted, the troops involved were serving on active duty. And the RC troops involved in the French train attack received decorations for noncombat heroism. I don’t think they received a Purple Heart, either (could be wrong about the latter).
Hard call. Glad I’m not the one having to make it.
It is, indeed, a complicated subject, Hondo. After the medal was awarded to the victims in the La Belle incident, it opened the door to awarding it in other circumstances not traditionally associated with “combat”. But I think a line has to be drawn somewhere; reasonable people can disagree as to where that line should be drawn.
I would suggest that every man and woman serving in the US military be issued a Purple Heart and, upon discharge, have it rescinded if they incurred no injured or wound during their service. That should cover it. (Yes, for those two of you who are that dense, I am being sarcastic. It is my way of saying that this shit is out of control when a soldier is out screwing off in a nightclub and he might get a PH.)
So, someone who is walking out of an in-theater gym and gets nailed by a random enemy round targeting something else and fired from several hundred meters away shouldn’t qualify because they were “out screwing off” vice performing military duties? How about someone who’s in the latrine when it gets rocketed or mortared and gets wounded? (These examples are not hypothetical – I have personal knowledge of one case of each of the above.)
I have no problem with someone who is on active duty receiving a PH if they’re injured by enemy action whether or not they’re “on duty” at the time or “out screwing off”. Ditto for those who are injured in terrorist attacks – that’s been authorized at service discretion since 1973.
What gives me pause here is the fact that – though a member of the RC – the individual was neither performing active nor inactive duty. That means in all but name he was effectively a civilian at the time of the attack – and civilians no longer qualify to receive the PH.
As I said above: hard call, and one I’m glad I don’t have to make personally.
Whatever. I leave it for the bean counters and PC babies. It is what it is, until it’s something else. Maybe it’s time for a new award to cover this sought of thing, rather than put these victims (how many combat soldiers are called that?) in the same category with someone who is wounded in combat.
sought? sort.
My point was to point out that ever since it was resurrected in 1932 the Purple Heart has effectively been an award for being in the right place at the wrong time and getting hurt by the enemy. That’s not being disrespectful; it’s simply the truth.
The conditions allowing the award are also somewhat capricious. Eligible if hurt or killed in a plane crash when moving from one camp to another? Depends. If the aircraft crashed for mechanical issues, no. If it was shot down, yes. Ditto friendly fire (which was relatively recently added to the list of eligibility criteria). If the friendly fire was made in a “good faith effort to engage the enemy”, eligible. If accidental, not eligible.
The PH is only intended to recognize those physically injured due to enemy action. It’s not recognition for heroic action; other awards do that.
Purple Heart recipients command respect because they have been injured by an armed the enemy in the nation’s service. But as I noted before, you can literally get a Purple Heart while walking out the front door or while in the latrine taking care of “business” if that’s when the enemy strikes and you’re at the right place at the wrong time.
Again: no disrespect intended, just stating fact.
So Lt Heinz-Kerry’s PH’s are now legit?
b. The PH is awarded in the name of the President of the United States and, in accordance with 10 USC 1131, effective 19 May 1998, is limited to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, have been wounded, were killed, or who have died or may hereafter die of wounds received under any of the following circumstances
I think that the “any capacity” covers a USAR officer not on duty. There might be some argument as to his “serving under competent authority” while not in a drill status.
Agreed. The “under competent authority” part may well be in play. As I recall, USAR personnel not on AD orders or performing IDT are not considered to be under military authority. Could be wrong about that.
Victims of terrorist attacks have been authorized award of the PH since 1973. La Bell discotheque wasn’t the first – a group of sailors attacked in Puerto Rico by separatists while on a bus preceded them by several years (1979, I believe). However, they too were serving on active duty vice being a reservist not on active duty or performing IDT.
You know, it’s interesting. Tony was an AG officer, so the Purple Heart issue is the very thing he would debate or discuss. We all knew that Pandora’s Box was opened after the Fort Hood shooting victims received it. Hard call, indeed. I’d like to see his family receive it on his behalf, but part of me wonders where we stop. Hard call, indeed.
Staff Sgt Stone did receive a PH and Airmens Medal for his efforts on that French train last summer. I don’t remember the name of the Army specialist but he received the Soldiers Medal. Both also were awarded foreign honors as well.
I have never filled out the recommendation, nor wanted one for myself. I was satisfied knowing one had to be injured or killed by enemy action. They would have to admit it was ENEMY action that killed the soldier. They would have to identify the event as a Terrorist attack. They would be required to identify the terrorist as the enemy. Not that it matters to the Captain (MHRIP), but it coul be a way for the powers that be to admit we are under attack by a specific enemy. as far as being in wrong place at wrong time, I have to disagree. He was a free American doing what free people do. The terrorist was not Johnnie-on-the-spot.
He will, the sailors from the USS Beary that got killed at the USO got one.
If this was designated a terror attack, which it will not be, perhaps so. But he was not on duty, just out clubbing, so I would lean against any award.
Apparently, it has been so designated.
Yep. Looks like the PH is the new attendance award. Don’t have to be in uniform or in an official military capacity, but with the ever evolving, all-inclusive definition of “terrorism”, won’t be long before any service member hit by a round from an “Illegal black rifle” or “high capacity, magazine-fed, death-dealing pistol” would be eligible for a Heart. This debate was pretty big here in the Noog, as well. Hate to hear of anyone getting killed by emo, Islamic, didn’t-get-asked-so-didn’t-tell jerkoff fundamentalist, but there is such a thing a wrong place; wrong time and bad luck.
From a purely civilian point of view, it was an act of war. What would otherwise have been mass murder was done in the name of an enemy determined to destroy our country. It was also done in violation of the Geneva Conventions, because Islamists have a policy to cheat. It’s not our idea of war, but it is theirs.
So, we refuse to recognize an act of war because the enemy cheats?
I have a problem with this.
Yes, I also know that this guy was throwing off warning flags of impending violence due to mental instability, which is another complicating factor: weak-minded individuals can and do incorporate contemporary politics into their outbursts when the real problem is that they are crazy.
However, Al-Qaeda in Iraq used animals, dead baby bodies, mentally impaired individuals, dupes, and people chained to the steering wheel and coerced because their families had been kidnapped, as “suicide bombers.” This is nothing new as an enemy tactic.
The fine points for honoring our service members is up to the various services. This was, however, and act of war, and our leadership looks dangerous and foolish for failing to recognize it as such.
I used to be kind of proud that I was awarded one for injuries in Iraq. However, the more it gets watered down with these types of things the less I care about it. To each their own, but as a recipient myself it means less and less as time goes on. Doesn’t mean the loss is less hurtful. RIP
You should be proud of that Purple Heart, EDUSMCLeg. It shows you sacrificed far more for this country than most ever will.
Would he be eligible for the award since he was not in a duty status? I would tend to think not.
No.
Well After reading with my other half over 800 pages of DNC bullshit docs and e-mails and Wiki e-mail dump on billary.. hell yes he deserves a purple hart and a valor award at the to. it’s odd how PC. from the left is again back at play. as a dear friend said yesterday after reading this, it’s time to clean house
they knew this jackass was a ticking time bomb and looked the other way because of the out of control PC agenda, hell ISIS has posted three target list and these morons just look the other way..
and thanks to google and FB and others hammering the Internet. I had to use Firefox to do all of my homework yesterday. what a GOD DAMN JOKE !!!!!
A valor award? Given that he was not deployed overseas and was totally off duty, apparently not even on training status (which I think might even make a Heart dubious) where does a valor award come in? I’m sorry that the man died, but at least based on a post above, it sounds like even he would question a valor award for simply being shot.
I believed CPT Brown should be awarded the Purple Heart. His circumstances are similar to those of Airman Spencer Stone.
In 2015, Airman Stone was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received during a terrorist attack on a French train.
http://nypost.com/2015/09/14/us-airman-who-stopped-train-attack-in-france-to-receive-purple-heart/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/09/14/airman-wounded-in-train-attack-in-france-to-receive-purple-heart/
In both cases, they were both off duty and when a terrorist attack expectedly happen. In both cases, the terrorist wasn’t targeting them directly because they were in the US military.
I follow the reasoning a little differently as I think we need to look at SPC Alek Skarlato, who was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for the same incident.
SPC Skarlato was also a reservist (Oregon ARNG IIRC)who was not in an IDT or other active duty status at the time of the incident.
If an RC service member can be awarded a heroism award while not on IDT or active duty, what principle would prevent the awarding of the PH if all other requirements of law are met. FWIW, every year or so there are multiple reservist not on duty who are awarded the Soldier’s Medal or it’s other service equivalent.
Now…..What I believe will happen is that some Congressman will quietly (or not, it is an election year) put in a bill authorizing CPT Brown award of the PH, and DOD won’t have to rule on this issue one way or another.
If both A1C Stone and SPC Skarlato have been killed subduing the train gunman, how would we view awarding each a heroism award but only a PH to one?
chindonya,
Right on target….
Purple Heart with AC (active combat) device for wounds or injuries received in a combat theater while actively engaged with the enemy.
Purple Heart with C (combat)device for wounds or injuries received in a combat theater.
Purple Heart with V (victim) device for injuries or wounds received outside of a combat theater.
Who gets to determine what the combat theater is? We and the bad guys have a very differing idea of that concept currently.
That would lead to a bigger clusterfark than the mess the Medal of Honor process is in today…
It shouldn’t, but we have already done that. Iraq is part of the Combat Zone, while Syria is not. You can look it up: https://www.irs.gov/uac/combat-zones
Service member wounded in the Pentagon received the PH and all uniformed folks in the Pentagon received hostile fire pay for the month of September 2001.
(I didn’t think of this earlier, but there might be some precedence there as its probable that some injured USG and contractor civilians were also reservists, so I wonder if they received the PH.)
Purple heart with silver star for engagement with the enemy.
With silver oak leaf cluster for combat theater.
With gold oak leaf cluster for all others.
Civilians wouldn’t know the difference but fellow soldiers would and they’re who count.
Interesting idea. I believe the German’s had a tiered system for their Wound Badge in WWII.
The Bermans had the Wound Badge in Black, Silver and Gold. Civilians injured in bombing raids were eligible for the wound badge in Black.
While the number of times wounded could result in upgrading badges a single type of wound could result in the award or upgrade of the Badge. Total Blindless. Brain Injury or losing your Manhood would result in Gold Badge.
If they’re going to do something like that, they may as well award a PH to every veteran who died while waiting for a VA appointment.
If being victimized by the VA at every turn is not an act of domestic terrorism, I don’t know what is.
Just my .02 cents./smile
Hondo, your references to troops being wounded while in the crapper made me wonder just how many infantrymen in Vietnam may have been killed or wounded while in the squatting position in the middle of a firefight? It’s a particularly vulnerable position when the steel shit is also flying, as you can’t very well deal with it lying down.
The bloody dysentery in Nam was unbelievable. I’ve seen many a soldier squatted beside the trail while his patrol mates moved on past. The memory is hazy but I seem to recall at least one incident of a trooper in our platoon having to drop his drawers while we were in a fight. Imagine how helpless you must feel squatting there helplessly with AK rounds cracking past you. At least when our M-16’s jammed we could hug the ground while we tried to get them firing again which happened to me a couple of times under fire.
The PH is awarded in the name of the President of the United States and, in accordance with 10 USC 1131,
effective 19 May 1998, is limited to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under
competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, have been wounded
(He wasn’t serving in any capacity)
And this is the expanded language that allowed the TN recruiters and the Fort Hood victims to receive PHs:
(10) Pursuant to 10 USC 1129a, as amended by the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, Section 571, the award of the PH for Servicemembers killed or wounded in
attacks by foreign terrorist organizations, the SECARMY will treat a Servicemember of the Armed Forces who is
killed or wounded as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States as stated in 2–8b(6).
(a)
A member described in this subparagraph is a member on active duty who was killed or wounded in an attack
by a foreign terrorist organization in circumstances where the death or wound is the result of an attack targeted on the
Servicemember due to such Servicemember’s status as a member of the Armed Forces,
I wonder if creating a new ribbon / medal / badge for situations like this would be appropriate? Give it out to troops wounded by acts of terror committed against troops who are not in a war zone? Maybe call it the Wound Ribbon or something similar?
I have no authority on military matters, but I’m hoping that some of the Veterans on here will see this thread and give an authoritative voice on the idea.
Thoughts?
For the very small number of people who might fall into this category, it is probably not worth the expense.
I believed we discussed a few months ago that the language from the 2015 NDAA actually made adjudicating situation like this much more difficult.
Under this language, the 12 service members killed on Pan AM 103 would not have qualified, as the attack was not directed at the service members per se.
My guess, unless there is a precedent from 9/11 or perhaps reservist serving as USGs in Vietnam, is that “serving in any capacity” has not been formally defined. A good lawyer can argue that being in good standing in the IRR is “serving in any capacity”, the service member is just getting paid irregularly.
FWIW, the Soldiers Medal uses the “serving in any capacity” language as well. So, I’d have to go with the liberal interpretation that RC service, even if not drilling that day, meets the standard.
If he’s awarded a PH than we acknowledge he was killed by the Enemy….And given our current administration, anything that actually acknowledges the Enemy and calls it Terrorism instead of work place violence is something to be recognized for.
Exactly. By recognizing trhis Soldier was killed while a member of the Armed forces we are taking the step in accepting we are being attacked in our our country by enemy forces.
We need to stop white-washing these attacks by calling them mass-shootings and attributing themn to the proper source: Militant Islam aka ISIS.
I’m happy I don’t have to make this call.
In spirit, the PH recognizes that a service member accepted and assumed the risks of placing him/herself in positions of danger beyond that of your standard citizen, and grievously suffered for it. CPT Brown had assumed no particular extraordinary risk. To award him the PH in this case is justification for its award to any service member killed in a mugging or by an angry cuckold.
However, had he responded with extraordinary gallantry and subdued the attacker, would we be satisfied saying he doesn’t qualify for any military award simply because he was not on active/drill status? Would the Soldier’s Medal or Pres. Medal of Freedom (no small feat, admittedly) be the only options; regardless of his military training, obligations,and values (I imagine he thought of himself as a soldier, regardless of wearing the uniform or not)?
Should he only be awarded the PH if there is evidence he tried to fight back? In the spirit of the award, does it really matter if the enemy is an international or domestic terrorist rather than “any enemy, foreign and domestic?”
Ultimately, I hope it’s not used as some political statement rather than a real consideration of the spirit of the award. I’m far from hopeful.
I am curious what type or number of awards/medals can be awarded to Reserve and National Guard when that member is not in a military status? Since we are issuing Purple Hearts and Soldier Medals, do we expand it to the whole spectrum of awards?
This might get hazy as we have contractors in theater that are also in the Reserve Component. Or cops on the beat who could easily get a Solider Medal for actions as Law Enforcement.
If there is any evidence, whatsoever, that he acted to fight the enemy that day, or to protect civilians in the club from the enemy even if he just took a bullet instead of another person, then he was doing his duty and would merit the Purple Heart and whatever other award might be appropriate to his actions.
I would go further and say that in the absence of any -hard- evidence that he shirked his duty, he should be presumed to have done his duty.
At the undeniable cost of his -life-.
I believe he said: ” I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
That oath doesn’t say anything about “But only when on duty” now does it?
He wrote that blank check, often mentioned around here. The bastards -cashed it-.
If we quibble over the nature of the death, and deny him the Purple Heart (and deny his grieving survivors)…
are we leaving our fallen comrade?
The vast majority of those with whom I’ve served were generally honorable, brave, and committed to doing right by the world and their oath. However, I have served with enough cowards, mouth-breathers, and blue Falcons to assume that any soldier will react gallantly to such a situation (speaking purely theoretically – I am in no way implying that CPT Brown was anything but a good man and respectable soldier).
Also, to make such an assumption would cheapen the award, as it sets a precedent for any service member killed violently. Does a soldier killed by his buddy’s ND merit the PH? If killed in a mugging? By that hot woman’s angry husband? Not awarding the medal does not invalidate the quality and honor of their service, but the circumstances matter if we want to honor those who have earned one.
I am not a PH recipient, I don’t have a dog in this fight and I won’t lose sleep if he is awarded one, but I don’t believe it applies in this situation.
Food for Thought:
Article 2 of the UCMJ reads that reserve members are only subject when “(3) Members of a reserve component while on inactive-duty training, but in the case of members of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States only when in Federal Service.”
Essentially, if you break the law when not acting in an official capacity, you are only subject to civilian laws. One might argue that actions taken when not in an official capacity are not subject to military awards.
In the end, like most here, I won’t lose sleep over it.