2.  The applicant requests award of the Purple Heart based on injuries incurred during World War II.

3.  Although the applicant’s records were apparently lost or destroyed during the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center information reconstructed from alternative sources indicate the applicant was inducted and entered active duty on 24 August 1944.  He departed the United States enroute to the Pacific Theater of Operation in February 1945 where he performed duties as an infantryman and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.

4.  Medical documents, submitted with the application, indicate the applicant sustained a wound to his of his neck and a concussion on 14 May 1945 which resulted in his hospitalization and eventual evacuation to the United States in June 1945.

5.  On 9 August 1945 he was released from active duty based on a certificate of disability.

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for wounds 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.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service in military operations against an armed enemy.  The Bronze Star Medal is authorized for each individual who was cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945 or whose such achievement or service, during that period, was confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947.  An award of the Combat Infantryman Badge is considered to be a citation in orders. This means, in effect, that the Bronze Star Medal is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized the badge for service during World War II.  Award of the Bronze Star Medal under these provisions is commonly referred to as a conversion award.
CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence indicates the applicant was wounded on 
14 May 1945 during World War II and as such is entitled to award of the Purple Heart.

2.  The Board also notes the applicant is entitled to award of the Bronze Star Medal as a conversion award based on his Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  In view of the foregoing, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the individual concerned the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 14 May 1945 during World War II and the Bronze Star Medal as a conversion award based on his Combat Infantryman Badge.

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION

		                           
		        CHAIRPERSON