One of this country's most honored war time medals -- the Purple Heart -- is now at the heart of a controversial debate.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates was recently asked if members of the military who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder should be awarded the Purple Heart. Gates answered, "It's clearly something that needs to be looked at," sparking a deeply divided debate.

Just about every Friday at the San Marcos VFW hall, retired marine sergeant Dan West helps serve breakfast for his fellow veterans of foreign wars.

All of the veterans are pictured on the walls, including West, whose 12 years of active duty included serving in Desert Storm and Desert Shield. But the military camouflage, designed to keep him hidden from the enemy, couldn't mask the horrors he witnessed on the battlefield.

"Seeing your buddies being blown up, because that's somebody you have an attachment to and seeing them like that, is traumatic," said West. "I had nightmares where I'd wake up and feel as if someone was trying kill me or that I was back on patrol again or that I was out in the burning oil fields again."

West was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) -- an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. It is a severe and ongoing emotional reaction to an extreme psychological trauma.

"I just considered it normal," he said, "Until after I got out and started realizing that dropping to the floor in the middle of a crowded supermarket when somebody made a loud noise wasn't normal."

West is one of 300,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan and suffer from PTSD, according to a Rand Corporation Study. Another was 21-year-old Chad Oligschlager, of Round Rock.

"Chad died from the wounds he suffered in Iraq in my mind," said Chad's father, Eric Oligschlager. "PTSD devastated him. He physically came home in November of last year, but he didn't come back from Iraq."

In May, during his second tour of duty, Oligschlager was was found dead in his California Marine barracks -- the victim of an apparent self inflicted drug overdose. His father says Oligschlager and other PTSD sufferers should be awarded the Purple Heart -- even though the medal's criteria clearly states it can be awarded only to those who were wounded or killed in action.

"Elevating PTSD to a Purple Heart status would give it the recognition it needs for the military and to the general public that it's not a flaw in a person's character, it's not a flaw or weakness in a person by any stretch but it's actually damage, it's a wound. It's something they suffered over there and it's needs to be treated," said Oligschlager.

Bill and Janet Norwood, whose son Byron received a Purple Heart after losing his life in Iraq, wholeheartedly agree about the need for treatment for PTSD sufferers. However, they respectfully disagree with Oligschlager about awarding the Purple Heart to members of the military suffering from PTSD.

"The Purple Heart is a medal that's designed for those who shed blood for this country and who died for this country and that is the way that it’s been forever," said Bill Norwood. "My feeling is it would destroy the medal. It would destroy the meaning of the medal, and it's the most honorable medal we have right up there with the Medal of Honor."

"I don't think my opinion would be different if I had not lost Byron. I don't think my opinion would be different, really, even if I didn't have anyone serving. I believe the Purple Heart should keep the criteria it's historically had," said Janet Norwood.

WWII vets who were prisoners at Germany's infamous Stalag B were recently honored at the Texas State Capitol. Those KVUE News talked to were in favor of awarding the Purple Heart to PTSD sufferers.

"I would have no argument in giving them the Purple Heart status whatsoever," said Jake Underwood, WWII veteran.

"I know myself, even at times yet, I have nightmares or things you can hardly live with. You think it's for real. You wake up. For years my wife would pat me and say it's only a dream, go back to sleep. I would," said Ed Young, WWII veteran.

And what about Dan West? Despite everything he's endured as a result of PTSD, he says he's not worthy of receiving the Purple Heart.

"There are people, men and women who've died for this country, who've received that Purple Heart. There are men and women who've lost arms, legs, parts of their body for this country," West said. "I may have the emotional scars but I don't have the physical scars."

The Pentagon is studying the issue but has not set a timetable for a recommendation.