2. The applicant requests that his WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, be corrected to reflect that he was awarded the Purple Heart.
3. He states, in effect, that he was wounded in 1945 and issued the Purple Heart while in the hospital but the award is not shown on his discharge.
4. His records show that he served in the European Theater of Operation for 1 year and 1 day between 17 September 1944 and 5 September 1945. He was honorably discharged upon demobilization on 5 November 1945.
5. His awards include the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). His WD AGO 53-55 does not indicate that he suffered any wound during his service. However, the record contains medical evidence that on 25 June 1945, he was wounded in action near Betzdorf, Germany and treated for a bilateral rupture of the tympanic membrane due to the blast from German ammunition. His injuries and treatment were recorded on Medical Department Form 52b. He was returned to duty on 1 July 1945.
6. 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.
7. Subsequent to the cessation of hostilities during World War II, the regulation governing the award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) was changed, in part, to provide for the award of this decoration to those individuals who had been awarded the CIB or the Combat Medical Badge for meritorious achievement in ground combat against the armed enemy between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. Based on documentary evidence in his file, the applicant should have been awarded the Purple Heart for combat related injuries suffered near Betzdorf, Germany on 25 June 1945.
2. He should also be awarded the BSM based upon the fact that he was awarded the CIB during the period authorized by regulation for such awards.
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 that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries suffered in Germany on 25 June 1945 and the BSM, based on award of the CIB, for meritorious achievement in World War II.
BOARD VOTE:
GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
GRANT FORMAL HEARING
DENY APPLICATION
CHAIRPERSON
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001058867C070421
He states that his injury is documented in Item 34 (Wounds Received in Action) on his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Discharge). 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 achievement or service, during that period, was confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947. That all of the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140007535
The applicant states the FSM sustained a concussion injury while serving in combat in France in December 1944. There are no documents in the reconstructed NPRC record that indicate the FSM was ever recommended for or awarded the PH by proper authority while serving on active duty. Accordingly, items 32 and 33 of his WD AGO Form 53-55 should be corrected at this time to reflect these campaigns and awards.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120022541
The applicant's military records are not available to the Board for review. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in Germany on 27 March 1945; b. awarding him the Bronze Star Medal based on award of the CIB; c. adding the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, and two bronze service stars to his already-awarded European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal to his...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090001190
The applicant requests, in effect, that his record and separation document (WD AGO Form 53-55) be corrected to add the Purple Heart he was awarded for being wounded in action in Germany in September 1944, and by providing him the correct disability compensation due from the date of his discharge in 1945. Although this treatment record does not indicate the injury was battle related, a WD AGO Form 106, dated 29 November 1945 and War Department Letter Order, dated 4 January 1946, published by...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100018683
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 while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States. While there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Purple Heart, there is evidence to show the applicant met the eligibility criteria for award of the BSM based upon award of the CIB and for award of the POW Medal. Evidence shows that the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003083963C070212
The Board considered the following evidence: Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the AOM is awarded for service of 30 consecutive days at a normal post of duty in a qualifying location. The applicant served in the ETO between 5 August 1944 and 29 December 1945 and was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100029801
The applicant, the daughter of a former service member (FSM) to whom the FSM has given general power of attorney, requests correction of the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Discharge) to show he was awarded the Purple Heart and to show he received wounds in combat. The FSM's military record is not available to the Board for review. Therefore, the Board requests that the Case Management Division administratively correct the records of the FSM by...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | AR20070000980C071029
David Tucker | |Member | The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by awarding him the Bronze Star Medal and amending his WD AGO Form 53-55 accordingly. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to amending his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show that he was awarded the Purple Heart.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080005274
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). The applicant requests, in effect, that Item 3 (Grade) of his separation document (WD AGO Form 53-55) be corrected to show his rank as staff sergeant (SSG) and he requests award of the second Purple Heart (in effect, a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster). An injury has to be as a result of enemy action to warrant award of the Purple Heart.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090015649
e. 18 April 1945: No mention of foot injury. Page 23: "A couple medics carried me back to the same first aid station that wrapped my foot 10 days ago. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him the Purple Heart for wounds received in November 1944; and b. adding to item 33 of his WD AGO Form 53-55 the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, and the World War II...