The Army will also award the civilian equivalent of the Purple Heart, the Defense of Freedom Medal, to non-military victims.
“The Purple Heart’s strict eligibility criteria had prevented us from awarding it to victims of the horrific attack at Fort Hood,” McHugh said, but noted that recent legislation has allowed them to move forward in recognizing the victims.
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A military jury convicted Hasan in 2013 and recommended the death penalty. The mandatory appeals process is expected to last for several years.
