Outrage: Fort Hood Shooting Victim Denied Benefits, Despite Purple Heart Decision

Purple_Heart_caseBy Catherine Herridge. The Obama administration has finally acknowledged that those hurt and killed in the 2009 Fort Hood shootings were victims of terrorism — and not “workplace violence,” as it was previously described. But while formal recognition of that is set for Friday, when victims will receive the Purple Heart, it may only be symbolic.

Fox News has learned as part of its ongoing investigation of the 2009 terrorist attack that the military, at least in one case, is still denying benefits for injuries sustained in the attack.

“I think it’s almost unheard of for someone to receive the Purple Heart but not have their injuries deemed combat-related,” Shawn Manning, who was seriously injured in the 2009 attack, told Fox News. “I know that was not what Congress intended to have happen, but it is what currently the Army has determined is going to happen.”

On Nov. 5, 2009, then-Staff Sgt. Manning was shot six times by Maj. Nidal Hasan. Two bullets are still in his body — one in his leg, the other in his back — and he suffers from PTSD.

The 2015 defense budget — known as the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA — included language that meant Fort Hood victims were eligible for the Purple Heart honor because the attack was inspired by a foreign terrorist group, and not workplace violence, as the Defense Department initially labeled it. (Read more from “Fort Hood Shooting Victim Denied Benefits, Despite Purple Heart Decision” HERE)

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‘Outrageous, Indefensible’ That Ft. Hood Victims Get Purple Heart, but No Benefits

By Michael Dorstewitz. Although the 47 victims and family members of the Fort Hood tragedy are finally being awarded their Purple Hearts after more than a five-year wait, they’re also being denied the benefits that attach to the award. And U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is disgusted.

The Texan Republican and presidential candidate said the situation is “outrageous and it’s indefensible” during his Friday appearance on “Fox & Friends.”

Cruz noted that he helped approve bi-partisan legislation that overturned the classification of the November 2009 massacre from one of “workplace violence” to an act of terror, which led to the Purple Heart awards.

Contributing to the delay is that “this president and this administration is unwilling to acknowledge radical Islamic terrorism for what it is,” according to Cruz.

However, because the injuries themselves have been classified as non-combat-related, the recipients are still denied the financial benefits associated with the Purple Heart. (Read more from “Outrageous, Indefensible’ That Ft. Hood Victims Get Purple Heart, but No Benefits” HERE)

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