[gilliam]

If I am not mistaken, unintentionally self-inflicted wounds can still be awarded purple hearts if they were caused during battle and if the intent was to combat the enemy.

For example, if Kerry was in battle, and during the battle he was blowing up rice cashes, and he stood too close, I think he would be eligible to receive a purple heart.

[Bahbah]

"For example, if Kerry was in battle, and during the battle he was blowing up rice cashes, and he stood too close, I think he would be eligible to receive a purple heart."

I believe you are correct. However, there is no suggestion that there was a battle going on when they blew up the rice, nor any enemy action of any kind at that time.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I think this one had something to do with Kerry using the head on the swift boat and striking a match at the wrong time. Here is a reenactment performed by Donkey's for Kerry.

[js1138]

For example, if Kerry was in battle, and during the battle he was blowing up rice cashes, and he stood too close, I think he would be eligible to receive a purple heart.

Purple Hearts can be awarded for friendly fire accidents if the fire was intended for the enemy. I honestly don't know if Bob Dole got a Purple Heart, but he was injured in the heat of battle. There's a world of difference between tossing a grenade while goofing around with bags of rice, and tossing a grenade while pinned to the ground.

[Bob]

For example, if Kerry was in battle, and during the battle he was blowing up rice cashes, and he stood too close, I think he would be eligible to receive a purple heart.

Sorry, the rice destruction wasn't done during a battle. There was no enemy there when they were doing it.

Destroying rice caches would have been an incredibly stupid thing to be doing while under fire.