Should The Purple Heart Be Awarded For The Orlando Attack?

Should the Purple Heart be awarded posthumously to the Army Reservist killed in the Orlando attack?

  • Yes

    Votes: 10 28.6%

  • No

    Votes: 16 45.7%

  • I don't know, I just wish someone would unlock the "mod nomination" thread

    Votes: 13 37.1%
  • Total voters
    35
Marauder06

Marauder06

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Headline says it all. What do you think?

(click here for additional background and perspective)

While controversies rage about the causes of the Orlando terrorist attack, a new one is brewing about its aftermath. One of the 49 innocent Americans who were murdered by Omar Mateen, a US citizen of Afghan heritage who claimed affiliation with the Islamist terror group known as ISIS, was an Army Reservist named Antonio Brown. Captain Brown was off duty and at the club in his capacity as a private citizen, far from declared combat zones, when the attack occurred. Nonetheless, some people think he should be posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
Click to expand...


purple heart small.jpg
 
I agree with @TLDR20 on this one. The criteria has "while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services," but I'm sure that could probably be interpreted both ways.
 
Offhand I'd say no...but it's a tricky question. Weren't the Ft Hood victims awarded the PH following a similar debate once it was ruled an act of terrorism?
 
Last edited:
Yes, the precedent has already been set.
Last year, Congress changed the law governing the Purple Heart to broaden the definition of an attack by a "a foreign terrorist organization" to include what's become known as "lone-wolf attacks." The new law says troops are eligible if an attack is "inspired or motivated by the foreign terrorist organization."

That change is allowing the Air Force to award Stone a Purple Heart because the French law enforcement authorities are treating the train shooting as an act of terrorism.
Click to expand...

More here-
Pentagon rethinks valor awards as troops now face 'worldwide threat'
 
I agree with DasBoot. I say yes, the precent has already been set and terrorism is a worldwide threat.

On the other hand, I would like to know what his actions where before his untimely death. I would like to believe that he did what a Soldier would do and was killed trying to attack the terrorist scumbag, then yes, I absolutely believe he deserves it. If he coward and tried to run like most of the other patrons, then I would say no to the award. If he was killed in the initial onslaught of the attack, then I'm leaning towards a "yes, maybe, I don't know."
 
I suppose a good test is "if he had done something heroic that night would he be entitled to a military bravery award?"
I would wager the answer would be no since he wasn't in a military capacity.
 
Freefalling said:
He deserves the Purple Heart if for no other reason than a strong precedent from the 80's.

I couldn't find much, but it looks like the victims of the 1988 USO bombing in Naples were awarded the Purple Heart. The soldiers wounded in the 1986 Berlin disco bombing also received Purple Hearts.

39 Soldiers Get Purple Hearts For Disco Bombing Wounds
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The USN diver who was killed in that high jacking received a BSM and a PH
 
DasBoot said:
The USN diver who was killed in that high jacking received a BSM and a PH
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Stethem did for TWA 847, but he was returning from an assignment. I guess one could make the argument he was on duty. The others clearly weren't.

Stethem deserved any recognition he received and more. Blue Skies.
 
Freefalling said:
He deserves the Purple Heart if for no other reason than a strong precedent from the 80's.

I couldn't find much, but it looks like the victims of the 1988 USO bombing in Naples were awarded the Purple Heart. The soldiers wounded in the 1986 Berlin disco bombing also received Purple Hearts.

39 Soldiers Get Purple Hearts For Disco Bombing Wounds
Click to expand...

Biggest issue is that it's not the same thing. They were "serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services."

The reservist would qualify if he was doing his reserve duties.
 
Florida173 said:
Biggest issue is that it's not the same thing. They were "serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services."

The reservist would qualify if he was doing his reserve duties.
Click to expand...

So going to the disco is different than the Orlando shooting? The Reservist doesn't rate because he wasn't spending personal time off while on orders?
 
I don't care if they give him one or not. A nice gesture for his family, but at the end of the day, dude is dead, a PH ain't going change that.

Now if he did some heroic shit in there, I'd say appropriately award him the same award he would rate in a combat zone.

Good friend of mine Derrick charged Hussain at the Ft Hood shooting, with nothing more than a pocket knife. He also gave aid to several of the wounded. He was awarded the Soldiers medal, I think it should be changed to a DSC, especially after they awarded BSM and PH to others.
 

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