| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mrs. Nancy Amos | Analyst |
| Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Fred N. Eichorn | Member | |
| Ms. Gail J. Wire | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: That he be awarded the Purple Heart. He also requests issuance of the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.
APPLICANT STATES: That around Christmas 1952, he set off for 45th Division
Headquarters with his driver. His driver became ill so he took over as driver. Everything went well until the Chinese (or North Koreans) started bombing the area and it started snowing. The snowfall increased, and most of the time he was keeping his head outside the jeep for a better view. A near explosion kicked up debris that nicked his left eye. Finally, they reached the 279th Medical Company area. He was given emergency treatment for his eye, then he was flown to Division Headquarters. From there he was medically evacuated to Tokyo. He also states that he was never issued the Korean Service Medal or the United Nations Service Medal. He was able to locate and now provides his Report of Separation, DD Form 214, along with other supporting evidence as listed on the DD Form 149.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire in 1973. The information contained herein was obtained from alternate sources.
He had prior enlisted service from 1943 – 1944. He was called to active duty as a commissioned officer on 7 January 1952.
On 27 December 1952, the applicant was hospitalized. An Office of the Surgeon General Hospital Admission Card indicates that he was treated for rheumatoid arthritis, iritis (inflammation of the iris), and periodontoclasia. The cards indicate injury or disease was field caused and nonbattle but it is not clear if the injury or disease referred to was the arthritis, the iritis, or the periodontoclasia.
On 1 May 1953, the applicant was separated by reason of a disability but it cannot be determined which injury or disease was the disabling condition.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations. In pertinent part, it states that the Purple Heart is awarded to any member of an Armed Force who has been wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States. The wound must have required treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record. When contemplating an award of the Purple Heart, the key issue that commanders must take into consideration is the degree to which the enemy caused the injury.
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. The Board appreciates the applicant’s wartime service in Korea. However, while there is evidence to show he was treated for iritis, there is no substantiating evidence to show how he came by this condition. He provides no corroborating evidence to confirm his account of the incident. In the absence of substantial corroborating evidence, the Board cannot determine if the injury was incurred under the criteria required for award of the Purple Heart.
2. Since it appears the applicant was never issued the Korean Service Medal or the United Nations Service Medal, it would be appropriate to issue those medals to him, if available.
3. In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.
DETERMINATION: The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.
NOTE: The Army Review Boards Agency, Support Division, will be directed to authorize issuance of the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal, if available, to the applicant.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
__inw___ __fne___ __gjw___ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2001056156 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20010809 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | (DENY) |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0015 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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