Short of Purple Hearts, Navy tells vet to buy own

[babylonsister]

Short of Purple Hearts, Navy tells vet to buy own

By ANNE MARIE KILDAY



PEARLAND — Korean War veteran Nyles Reed, 75, opened an envelope last week to learn a Purple Heart had been approved for injuries he sustained as a Marine on June 22, 1952.

But there was no medal. Just a certificate and a form stating that the medal was "out of stock."

"I can imagine, of course, with what's going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, there's a big shortage," Reed said. "At least, I would imagine so."

The form letter from the Navy Personnel Command told Reed he could wait 90 days and resubmit an application, or buy his own medal.

After waiting 55 years, however, Reed decided to pay $42 for his own Purple Heart and accompanying ribbon — plus state sales taxes — at a military surplus store.

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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5061221.html

[shain from kane]

1. Purple heart bandaids are still available. Now, where is that picture of the contact person?

[tularetom]

2. Have we sunk this goddamn far?

Mr Reed is a lot more understanding than I'd be. If I knew his address I'd send him the $42 and thank him for his service.

[Orrex]

3. Hey, now's my chance to become a decorated war veteran

Maybe I served in WWI.

:mad::mad::mad:

[BOSSHOG]

4. I can't even say it

[TomInTib]

5. Hell, he can have mine for free.

All he has to do is dive off the Bay Bridge about mid-span.

There are three of them down there along with a ton of other crap.

[murloc]

6. Wow we finally ran out?

During the run up to the invasion of Japan, the US manufactured hundreds of thousands of Purple hearts in anticipation of the anticipated casualties.

When the invasion didn't happen, the US was left with a huge overstock of purple hearts. Those same purple hearts were used throughout Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War I and the variety of other invasions & mini-wars.

Goes to show many how have been hurt, crippled and maimed in this current war...so many that we finally ran out of purple hearts.

[BOSSHOG]

7. I'd like to "counsel" the motherfucker responsible for this outrage

this is a total fucking embarrassment to the NAVAL PERSONNEL COMMAND. The nearest military installation should have been notified of the award, given a medal and certificate and directed to ensure an appropriate presentation ceremony was held for the vet WHO EARNED IT BY TAKING A BULLET (OR WAS INJURED IN SOME OTHER CAPACITY) FOR HIS COUNTRY 55 FUCKING YEARS AGO.

[babylonsister]

9. I can feel your anger from here, BOSS, and I don't blame you. It

is totally outrageous.

[BOSSHOG]

11. Doing what I suggested is so damned easy

Ya pick up the phone, tell the field commander the particulars, put the medal and instructions in the mail and badabing badaboom its done. Any supply officer worth his porkchop would be able to whip up a purple heart in no time. Give the Soldier or Sailor or Marine his moment in the son for christ's sake.

[porphyrian]

8. This is how they "support our troops."

It's fucking reprehensible.

[Captain Hilts]

10. I'll send him a check. nt