2.  The applicant requests correction of his military records to reflect that he was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in Korea.

3.  He states that he was wounded in the eye while serving in the Korean War and was never awarded the Purple Heart.

4.  His military records show that he enlisted for 2 years on 23 October 1951 and after training as a cannoneer was reassigned to Korea where he served for 10 months and 17 days.  He was honorably relieved from active duty on 15 September 1953 and transferred to the reserve component to complete his military service obligation.

5.  His medical record shows that on 25 February 1953 he was wounded in action in North Korea when he was struck in the left eye by a metal object while dynamiting foxholes in the frozen ground.  He was eventually evacuated to the States for treatment of his wound.

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained as a result of hostile action.  Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify that the wound was the result of hostile action, the wound must have required treatment by a medical officer, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant was wounded in action as a result of shrapnel to his left eye while engaged with the enemy in Korea.

2.  In view of the foregoing, his records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained on 25 February 1953 as a result of enemy action in Korea.

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




		                           
		        CHAIRPERSON