2. The applicant requests correction of his records to reflect that he was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries suffered in World War II.
3. He states that he was wounded in the left leg while in combat in Belgium in 1945 and believes that he should have been awarded the Purple Heart for his injury.
4. His military records show that he was inducted on 5 May 1941 and served 1 year, 10 months and 21 days in the European Theater of Operations. He was honorably discharged upon demobilization on 20 November 1945.
5. His awards include the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Marksman Badge with rifle bar.
6. The applicants WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, does not show that he incurred any wounds in action during his service. However, his separation physical examination reflects that he suffered a gunshot wound to the left thigh from enemy civilians while in Belgium in 1945. Upon his discharge he was also granted 10 percent disability compensation by the VA for the same injury.
7. Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, provides in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained as the 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. However, the regulation also specifies that it is not intended that such a strict interpretation of the requirement for the wound or injury to be caused by direct result of hostile action be taken that it would preclude the award being made to deserving personnel.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. While the applicants WD AGO Form 53-55 does not show any wounds resulting from combat, his physical examination clearly describes a leg wound suffered at the hands of enemy civilian personnel.
2. When considering the circumstances under which the wound was inflicted, it is reasonable to determine that he should have been awarded the Purple Heart for the injury.
3. In view of the foregoing, the applicants 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 as a result of enemy action in Belgium in 1945.
BOARD VOTE:
GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
GRANT FORMAL HEARING
DENY APPLICATION
CHAIRPERSON
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130013081
The applicant requests the WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) of her uncle, a former service member (FSM), be corrected to show the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars and Purple Heart. Her uncle stated that he was blown out of three tanks which have left him with a lifetime of problems with his arm and shoulder. The FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 9...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110018725
His WD AGO Form 53-55 further shows in: * item 6 (Organization) the entry "Co G, 22nd Infantry, 4th Division" * item 31 (Military Qualification and Date) the entry "Combat Infantryman Badge 1 November 1944" * item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) the: * Campaign of Normandy * Campaign of Belgium * Campaign of Germany * item 33 (Decorations and Citations) the: * Three Bronze Battle Stars * Army Good Conduct Medal * Purple Heart with One Oak Leaf Cluster * European Theater of Operations...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070002722
The applicant's military service records are not available to the Board for review. The applicant's military service records contain a copy of WD AGO Form 106 (Request for Decoration and/or Citation), dated 5 October 1945, which shows the applicant initiated a claim for award of the Purple Heart for injuries sustained on 4 September 1944. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding the applicant the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110024034
The applicant requests that the records of her father, a former service member (FSM), be corrected by awarding him the Purple Heart for wounds received during World War II (WWII). Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained while in action against an enemy or as a result of hostile action. The available evidence clearly shows the FSM was injured; however, there is no evidence present in the available records that shows his injury was...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110010888
His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows in: * Item 6 (Organization) he was assigned to Company E, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division * Item 7 (Date of Separation) he was honorably discharged on 19 December 1945 * Item 30 (Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) and Number) he held MOS 745 (Rifleman) * Item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) he participated in the Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe, and Normandy campaigns * Item 33 (Decorations and Citations) he was awarded: * Bronze Stars (5)...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050009002C070206
The applicant, as the son and next of kin of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of his late father's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show award of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device. The WD AGO Form 53-55 contained in the FSM’s service personnel records does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award. The FSM's WD AGO Form 38 does not show that the shrapnel injury was incurred as a result of hostile action.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120018342
The applicant's military records are not available to the Board for review. His available records do not show he sustained a concussion during World War II but even if they did, the change is only retroactive to 11 September 2001. d. Notwithstanding his sincerity, there is no evidence in his record that shows he was wounded or injured as a result of hostile action or treated for such wounds. Regrettably, absent evidence which conclusively shows he sustained wounds or injuries as a result...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003086416C070212
The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein. The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55, which is authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Purple Heart in block 33 (Decorations and Citations). The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55, prepared at the time of the applicant's separation from the Army, and which the applicant authenticated in his own hand, shows that he was not wounded in action against a hostile enemy of the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080001088
The applicant, as the widow of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of the FSMs records to show award of the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during World War II. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Evidence shows that the FSMs records contain an administrative error which does not require action by the Board.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060009605C071029
In support of his application, the applicant submitted a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Honorable Discharge; a request for his records from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); and NARA's reply along with eight documents related to the injury he sustained in World War II, to include a Surgeon General's Office File Report. Item 34 (Wounds Received in Action), of the applicant's WD AGO Form 53- 55, shows the entry, "None." The...