Army Orders Financial Benefits for 2009 Fort Hood Victims

Dozens of soldiers and surviving family members of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting are receiving additional Army pay that they felt was long overdue.

The announcement from Army Sec. John McHugh on Thursday comes a week after 36 Purple Hearts were awarded to victims and relatives of the deadliest shooting on a U.S. military base.

Thirteen people were killed in the attack and 31 others were injured.

McHugh said the Purple Heart recipients will receive extra hostile fire pay and other compensation. A group of soldiers are still seeking more money from the government in an ongoing lawsuit.

The Army spent years refusing Purple Hearts to Fort Hood victims because the military contended the shooting was an act of workplace violence and not terrorism.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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