Service members who sustained traumatic brain injuries during the January Iran missile strike on al Asad Air Base in Iraq will receive Purple Hearts.
The decision, first reported by CNN, comes months after senior Defense officials said the award was being considered.
Read first-hand accounts of the Iran missile strike from airmen who were there
Immediately following the January strike -- which was ordered by Iran in retaliation for the United States drone killing of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani -- the Pentagon and the president both touted the lack of casualties or injuries.
In the following weeks, evidence of TBIs among the service members stationed at the air base began to surface. By early February, more than 100 service members had been diagnosed with TBIs.
As additional injuries continued to come to light, Trump was asked why he did not initially share information about troops injured in the attack. He responded that the concussive injuries sustained were "not serious" injuries "relative to other injuries" he had seen. He said he heard they had "headaches."
Trump 'won't be changing his mind' on TBIs
Despite calls from Congress and various organizations that Trump apologize for his statement, the president chose to stand by his original messaging -- even after the number of diagnosed service members exceeded 100.
It is because of the president's controversial messaging that the Purple Heart awards are being so closely reviewed and carefully considered, according to CNN.
"The Purple Heart submissions remain under review and are being processed in accordance with Defense Department and Military Service regulations," Defense Department spokesperson Jessica Maxwell told CNN.
Service members selected to receive the award will be notified by their chain of command.
--