2. The applicant requests correction of his military records to reflect that he was wounded in action and as such awarded the Purple Heart, that he be awarded an additional bronze service star denoting participation in a second combat campaign and that he be awarded the Bronze Star Medal based on his Combat Infantryman Badge. The applicant notes he sustained a shrapnel wound to his left leg and his feet were frozen but he never received the Purple Heart.
3. Although the applicants military personnel file was apparently lost or destroyed during the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, information herein was reconstructed from documents provided by the applicant and from copies of his service medical records maintained by the VA.
4. The applicant entered active duty on 29 July 1944 and arrived in the European Theater of Operations on 14 January 1945 where he performed duties as an infantryman with the 302nd Infantry Regiment. He was hospitalized on 5 March 1945 for bilateral trench foot and returned to the United in April 1945 without returning to combat duties. Prior to his hospitalization he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.
5. On 9 August 1945 the applicant was discharged with a certificate of disability based on his foot condition. His WD AGO Form 53-55, which he authenticated with his signature and thumb print does not list the Purple Heart as an authorized award and item 34 (wounds received in action) reflects NONE.
6. Subsequent to the applicants separation he was granted a service connected disability rating of 10 percent by the VA based on his trench foot injuries.
7. 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. Specifically prohibited from award of the Purple Heart are injuries associated with trench foot.
8. A review of DA Pamphlet 672-1 (unit citation and campaign participation credit register) indicates the applicants unit was credited with participating in two designated campaigns periods while the applicant was assigned to the organization (Ardennes-Alsace 441216-450125 and Rhineland 440915-450321). A bronze service star is awarded to designate participation in campaign periods.
9. 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 Combat Infantryman Badge for service during World War II and is commonly referred to as a conversion award.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. There is no evidence, and the applicant has not provided any, which confirmed he sustained any shrapnel wounds while in the European Theater of Operation. Although his trench foot injuries are well documented and resulted in his separation from active duty such injuries do not warrant award of the Purple Heart.
2. The evidence does confirm the applicant participated in two designated campaign periods while a member of the 302 Infantry Regiment and as such is entitled to two bronze service stars denoting his participation.
3. The applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge during World War II and as such is entitled to the Bronze Star Medal as a conversion award based on that badge.
4. In view of the foregoing, it would be appropriate to correct the applicants records as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:
a. by showing that the individual concerned is entitled to two bronze service stars denoting participation in two designated campaign periods while a member of the 302 Infantry Regiment; and
b. by awarding him the Bronze Star Medal as a conversion award based on his Combat Infantryman Badge.
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
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 02 MARCH 2004 DOCKET NUMBER: AR2003096485 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 Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. The applicant’s military records are not available to the Board for review.
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