2. The applicant requests that his military records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) for service in World War II.
3. He states that he was wounded during the invasion of Anzio, Italy and taken prisoner (POW) by the Germans. He received the Purple Heart and the BSM but they are not recorded on his WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation.
4. His military records show that he was inducted on 26 April 1943 and after training as a radio operator served 1 year, 7 months and 1 day in the European Theater of Operations. He was honorably discharged as a technician 4th class on 29 October 1945.
5. His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that he was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (EAMCM) and the Good Conduct Medal. His separation papers do not show that he was awarded either the Purple Heart of the BSM.
6. There is no evidence elsewhere in his records to show that he was awarded a BSM.
7. In an advisory opinion (ATTACHED) to this Board, the US Total Army Personnel Command (PERSCOM) determined that, in addition to the awards already shown on his WD AGO Form 53-55, the applicant is also eligible for the Purple Heart, the POW Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the EAMCM with 3 bronze service stars. However, after reviewing his records and searching organizational files of the unit to which he was assigned during World War II, they could not substantiate that he had been recommended for or awarded a BSM. The PERSCOM recommends, therefore, that the portion of the applicants request for the BSM be denied for lack of evidence. The applicant was advised of the additional awards to which he is entitled on 26 March 1996.
8. Army Regulation 600-22-8, Military Awards, provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
9. The same regulation provides that the primary requirement for award of a decoration is that a formal recommendation must be prepared and entered into official military channels by someone having witnessed or with knowledge of the act, achievement or service to be honored.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. Based on the PERSCOM advisory opinion, the applicant is entitled to the Purple Heart, the POW Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the EAMCM with 3 bronze service stars.
2. The available records do not show and the applicant has not provided any documentary evidence to show that he was recommended for or awarded the BSM.
3. In view of the foregoing, the applicants records should be corrected as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. 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, the POW Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the EAMCM with 3 bronze service stars.
2. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
GRANT FORMAL HEARING
DENY APPLICATION
____________________
CHAIRPERSON
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001057414C070420
The Board considered the following evidence: There is no evidence of record to confirm his being wounded. The evidence of record shows that the applicant was a POW and is entitled to award of the POW Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002076532C070215
The applicant requests, in effect, that his military records be corrected to show he was awarded the Purple Heart (PH) and to reflect the time he was in a Prisoner of War (POW) status, for which he received the (POW) Medal. The available medical files contain no other information in regard to the applicant being treated for any wounds received in action during his active duty tenure during World War II. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case, particularly the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002068505C070402
Item 34 (Wounds Received In Action) of the applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55, which was authenticated in his own hand, shows the entry “NONE.” There is no record that the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart and there are no medical records available. The evidence of record shows that the applicant was eligible for the POW Medal; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show that he was awarded the POW Medal. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130014150
The applicant, the widow of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of the FSMs WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation-Honorable Discharge) to show he was awarded the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal, Bronze Star Medal (BSM), and Purple Heart. The National Archives WWII Prisoners of War Data File, 7 December 1941 to 19 November 1946, lists the FSM as having been captured in the European Theater on 11 July 1944. As a result, the Board recommends that all...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130001772
The applicant's military records are not available to the Board for review. Therefore, he is entitled to have his record corrected to show four bronze service stars for wear on his already-awarded European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Medal. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. adding to the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55: * Prisoner of War Medal * Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster * four...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001057820C070420
I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. The applicant requests correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation-Honorable Discharge) to show award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM), the Purple Heart (PH), and the Prisoner of War Medal (POW). The applicant states in effect that he has earned the BSM, the PH, and the POW...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100024111
The FSM's military records are not available to the Board for review. The POW Medal is to be issued only to those U.S. military personnel and other personnel granted creditable U.S. military service who were taken prisoner and held captive: (1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States. The applicant requests correction of the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 to show award of the POW Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Button, and the World War II Victory Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 20040007931C070208
The applicant provides the following documents in support of his application: WD AGO FORM 53-55, Separation Qualification Record (WD AGO Form 100), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Rating Decision Document Extracts and VA Discharge Summary. The applicant’s military records are not available to the Board for review. However, by regulation, in order to support award of the PH, there must be evidence that a member received a combat related wound/injury as a direct result of, or that...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140017017
The applicant requests correction of the records of his deceased father, a former service member (FSM), to show he was wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart. He also requests, in effect, correction of the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separations Honorable Service) to show: * the FSM's prisoner of war (POW) status * Purple Heart and POW Medal 2. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120010496
Through a Member of Congress, the applicant requests correction of the WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) of her deceased father, a former service member (FSM), to document his prisoner of war (POW) status during World War II. Therefore, the Bronze Star Medal is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized this badge for service during World War II. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the...