| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mrs. Nancy Amos | Analyst |
| Mr. John N. Slone | Chairperson | |
| Ms. Margaret V. Thompson | Member | |
| Mr. William D. Powers | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: In effect, that he be awarded the Purple Heart.
APPLICANT STATES: That he was wounded when his chin point was crushed during a Nazi bomber raid on Naples Harbor in December 1944. General David Sarnoff, his superior, was a witness as he was present. He received treatment at the U. S. Army Medical Facility, Naples Harbor plus further treatment in Algiers and Teheran. Actress Sophia Loren, for whom he later worked, often told this story as she was 12-years old at the time and suffered a slight wound from this bombing raid. Supporting evidence is 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. Information contained herein was obtained from alternate sources.
The applicant entered active duty on 19 July 1941. He arrived in the European Theater of Operations on 24 December 1943 and departed on 19 April 1945. He was released from active duty on 20 March 1946. It appears he served with the Armed Forces Radio Service at least at the end of his service. His Report of Separation, WD AGO Form 53-55, shows that he was credited with the Naples-Foggia campaign.
A 21 June 1955 letter from David Sarnoff, Chairman of the Board, Radio Corporation of America (RCA) confirms that the applicant worked for him in Algiers in 1944 but does not mention the bombing incident.
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.
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 services during World War II. However, his records are not available and he provides no corroborating evidence, such as his service medical records (which might be obtainable from the VA) or statements from witnesses specifically corroborating that he was wounded and treated, to show that he was wounded in action.
2. Regrettably, 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.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
__jns___ __mvt___ __wdp___ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2001057202 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20010724 |
| 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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