The U.S. Army has announced that the victims of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting will be awarded the Purple Heart. This announcement comes after a policy change, championed by Congressmen John Carter (R-TX31) and Roger Williams (R-TX25), made the victims eligible for the medal. The policy change was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was signed into law on December 19, 2014.

“This has been a long, hard fight. The victims of this attack have struggled, suffered and been abandoned by this Administration. No more. Today is a day of victory and I am honored to have fought on their behalf,” said Rep. John Carter. “The Administration did not want to acknowledge that this was a terrorist attack. I have received confirmation from the Pentagon that the victims will receive the Purple Heart and the Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom. I want to thank my Texas colleagues for their help and support; including Rep. Williams, Rep. Thornberry, Senators Cornyn and Cruz. I commend the Secretary of the Army for stepping up to provide the victims their due benefits and to finally give closure to the families.” 

"Today’s announcement is great news for the men and women whose lives were forever altered after the terrorist attack on Fort Hood more than five years ago,” said Rep. Roger Williams. “I am grateful for the joint efforts in Congress with Representative Carter, Senators Cornyn and Cruz and our colleagues who helped push for a legislative fix. It is high time the Obama Administration live up to its promise to properly honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Though this will not bring back those 13 innocent Americans and one unborn child we lost that day, it will restore the benefits and treatments the victims and survivors earned and deserve."

The NDAA adjusted the Purple Heart criteria so that our service members and civilians, who experience an attack inspired by terrorism, receive the appropriate awards and recognition. The language awards the Purple Heart to service members who are victims of an attack that was inspired or motivated by a U.S. State Department-designated foreign terrorist organization. The provision is retroactively effective as of September 11, 2001.