30 Bipartisan Cosponsors: Fort Hood Casualties to Receive Combatant Status under new House legislation
Posted by Clyde Middleton
on Nov 17 2009 Filed under Politics.
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Update: FOX News covers the story:
Rep. John Carter (R-TX) seems to have defeated early dem leadership efforts to kill this. Obama has got to fuming – it opens the door for greater scrutiny of the terrorist-act-committed-by-a-nonterrorist. Here’s the press release:
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Army and civilian personnel who were wounded or killed in the shooting attack on Fort Hood would be granted the same legal status as combatant casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, if bipartisan legislation introduced today by U.S. Representative John Carter (R-TX31) passes into law. Carter was joined by U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX10) for a news conference unveiling the bill in the House Radio-TV Gallery in the U.S. Capitol this afternoon.
“Our Fort Hood casualties should receive the same benefits and recognition as other combat casualties,” says Carter, who represents the Fort Hood area in the House, “as this was a planned terror attack on U.S. military personnel. It should make no difference in our care for the wounded and the families of the slain whether it occurred on an Army base in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Texas.”
While many military and survivor benefits are the same regardless of the status of the casualty, combatant status allows military personnel to receive the Purple Heart, and civilians to receive the equivalent award, the Secretary of Defense Medal of Freedom. Combatant status would also guarantee that the beneficiaries of all military personnel who lost their lives in the attack would receive the maximum life insurance available, extended family housing privileges, and other benefits.
“This bill is not about investigations or assigning blame,” says Carter. “It is about taking care of our troops and their families first. That’s why we have such strong support from both sides of the aisle, and why we hope and expect this to move quickly.”
Over 30 House Members nearly evenly split between parties joined Carter as original co-sponsors on the legislation. Carter is Co-chairman of the House Army Caucus for the 111th Congress, and is Secretary of the House Republican Conference.
Summary: Fort Hood Families Benefits Protection Act
Combat Status Codified – military casualties classified as combat zone. Civilian casualties classified as terror attack or contingency operation.
Recognition – military casualties eligible for the Purple Heart, civilians for the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom.
Life insurance – guarantees all military beneficiaries receive maximum benefits
Civilian expenses – allows the Secretary to pay certain death expenses
Military bonuses – eliminates repayment of unused bonuses due to service members inability to fulfill duties as a result of injuries from the attack
Expanded recuperation benefits
Expanded survivor housing benefits
Taxes – extends combat casualty state and federal tax benefits
Related Posts
- Rep. Judge Carter (R-TX) To Introduce Bill Giving Fort Hood Victims Combatant Status
- Lieberman may subpoena officials over shooting spree at Fort Hood
- The real heroes: Casualties in the war zone
- Report: Fort Hood shooting suspect paralyzed
- Morris: Political broadside against Obama on Ft. Hood
Short URL: http://libertypundits.net/?p=8794
Hello,
Where is the support for Cold War casualties?
VFW Resolution 437 2009
RECOGNIZE MILITARY VETERANS WHO WERE KILLED OR WOUNDED DURING THE EARLY PERIOD OF THE COLD WAR
WHEREAS, not all members of the military that lost their lives or were injured from special circumstances were recognized during the early period of the Cold War; and
WHEREAS, President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 11016, “Authorizing Award of the Purple Heart” on April 25, 1962, for members of the military, and civilians who died or were injured without a formal declaration of war; and,
WHEREAS, President Ronald W. Reagan signed Executive Order 12464, “Award of the Purple Heart” on February 23, 1984, for members of the military who died or were injured while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force; and as a result of an international terrorist attack; and
WHEREAS, during the Cold War period, after World War II to the early 1960′s, the majority of service members lost their lives, or were injured in the performance of their mission; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we petition the President to sign an Executive Order that will award the Purple Heart Medal to members of the military during the period 9 May 1945 to 25 April 1962 under identical circumstances as contained in Executive Order 11016 and Executive Order 12464.
_______________________________
I respect Congressman Carter’s recognition for lives lost and personnel wounded by a hostile act. However, it was not foreign, and it was not an international terrorist attack that would warrant the Purple Heart.
He should concentrate on Texans that served WWII, and Cold War veterans and/or next of kin of same that continue to wait for recognition of their sacrifices.
The VFW book, Cold War Clashes, Lt. James Wilson from Bryan, Texas became the first confirmed hostile fatality of the Cold War in Germany when he was shot to death by a Soviet sentry in Berlin on March 3, 1946.
According to guidelines, he is not eligible for the Purple Heart.
However, according to the book, Major Arthur D. Nicholson, Jr., was the last American killed by Soviet hostile action in Europe. He was shot to death by a Soviet sentry on March 24, 1985.
Since President Kennedy’s EO included:
“(e) As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force”, he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
Two Americans killed during the Cold War, by the identical source in same general area, the same month, but a different year. Where is the balanced recognition?
I appreciate the VFW supporting the Resolution 3 years in a row, however when is the VFW going to support action by contacting Congressman Carter? I contacted the 3 members of Congress in my district, but received no support regarding the subject.