| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Vic Whitney | Analyst |
| Mr. Arthur A. Omartian | Chairperson | |
| Mr. John T. Meixell | Member | |
| Mr. Lester Echols | Member |
2. The applicant requests that his award of the Purple Heart be added to his discharge document (WD AGO Form 53-55).
3. The applicant states that it was omitted from his discharge document. He provides copies of Army correspondence in support of his application.
4. The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center. Documents available from other sources show that he served on active duty as a rifleman from 5 April 1943 to 6 February 1946. He served in the European theater of operations from 15 October 1943 to 12 January 1946.
5. His authorized awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge. The Purple Heart is not shown as an authorized award on his WD AGO Form 53-55 and block 34 (Wounds) states “None.”
6. The applicant provided a copy of a telegram that notified his mother that he had been wounded in action in France on 12 September 1944. He also provides a copy of a 1 March 1946 letter from the Army Adjutant General that states that the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 12 September 1944. Award orders are not in the available record.
7. The available records contain a hospital admissions card data base printout that shows that the applicant was treated for artillery shell fragment wounds on 12 September 1944.
8. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, 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. 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 awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge for service during World War II.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. There is a preponderance of evidence that shows that the applicant was entitled to and awarded the Purple Heart as a battle casualty on 12 September 1944.
2. Additionally, the applicant is entitled to an award of Bronze Star Medal based on the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
3. In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case for the individual concerned be corrected by:
a. showing that he was wounded in action in France on 12 September 1944 and entitled to an award of the Purple Heart; and
b. awarding him the Bronze Star Medal based on the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
BOARD VOTE:
__ao____ __jm____ ___le___ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
____Arthur A. Omartian_______
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2001061587 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20011127 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT PLUS |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.00 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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