Berkley seeks investigation in denial of Purple Heart medals

Jace Radke

Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005 | 9:46 a.m.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., has asked the military's chief legislative liaison to investigate why nine Nevada National Guardsmen were denied Purple Heart medals after being injured while stationed in Iraq in 2003.

"It is my belief, as well as that of the commanding officer who submitted the original paperwork, that these Guardsmen qualify for Purple Hearts and should be awarded them with all due haste," Berkley states in the letter to Maj. Gen. Guy Swan.

The nine members of the Henderson-based 72nd Military Police Co. were injured in two separate incidents involving explosive devices in Iraq in 2003.

About 115 soldiers with the 72nd were deployed to Iraq to guard Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib outside Baghdad in May 2003 and returned to Nevada in November of that year. The unit was relieved at the prison by the Maryland-based 372nd Military Police, prior to prisoner abuse allegations at the prison.

The Nevada National Guard's inspector general is also investigating why the medals were denied, and the Guard is collecting medical information from the soldiers to resubmit for the medals.

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces who are wounded at the hands of the enemy or enemy weaponry. They are also awarded posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action.

The 72nd put in for the Purple Hearts in connection with two attacks.

The first attack occurred on June 27, 2003 when a 2 1/2 ton truck carrying eight soldiers overturned after a roadside bomb exploded near it. One of the soldiers was sent home after the attack and did receive a Purple Heart, while the seven others riding in the truck were denied the medal.

The second attack occurred on Aug. 19, 2003 when a Humvee with two Nevada Guardsmen inside hit an explosive device. The two guardsmen, who were injured in the attack, also did not receive Purple Heart medals.