APPLICANT REQUESTS: That he be awarded the Purple Heart for a wound suffered in the Korean War.
APPLICANT STATES: He was wounded in the groin in the fall of 1951. He contends that he was treated by a medic and at an aide station where he was given penicillin and returned to duty. Now, however, he is told that no record of the injury can be found and he cannot receive the Purple Heart that he feels he deserves.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
He enlisted in the Regular Army for 3 years on 31 May 1950 and served 1 year and 5 days in Korea. He was honorably discharged as a private on 6 June 1953 upon the completion of his term of service.
His awards include the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan). His DD Form 214, Report of Separation, reflects the entry none in the block entitled wounds received as a result of action with enemy forces. His medical records show that on 31 December 1951 he was hospitalized and treated for acute epididymititis, cause unknown, and treated with penicillin. There are no entries in the medical record, however, that show he was treated for a wound as a result of enemy action.
The applicants separation physical examination conducted on 3 June 1953 does not reveal that the applicant made mention of or that the examining physician commented on the fact that the applicant had been wounded during his service.
Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, 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.
DISCUSSION: Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:
1. There is no available evidence to show that the applicant sustained a wound or injury during his service that would entitle him to the Purple Heart.
2. In view of the foregoing, there appears to be no basis for granting his request.
DETERMINATION: The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.
BOARD VOTE:
GRANT
GRANT FORMAL HEARING
DENY APPLICATION
Karl F. Schneider
Acting Director
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