| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Vic Whitney | Analyst |
| Ms. Joann Langston | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Richard T. Dunbar | Member | |
| Mr. Raymond J. Wagner | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: That he be awarded the Purple Heart.
APPLICANT STATES: That he received a shrapnel wound about March 1945, while serving in a heavy maintenance tank company. He was in a field hospital for 3 to 4 days then a general hospital for 4 to 5 days. He submits a Veterans Administration Form 10-1000 (Discharge Summary) in support of his application.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military personnel records were lost or destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center. His WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) shows that he was inducted and served in the Enlisted Reserve Corps from 22 December 1943 to 11 January 1944. He entered active duty on 12 January 1944 and served as a small arms weapons mechanic.
The applicant served in the European Theater from 16 February to 10 August 1945. Block 34 (Wounds) of his WD AGO Form 53-55, which he authenticated with his signature, states “None.” He was separated as a result of demobilization on 19 April 1946. His authorized awards do not include the Purple Heart. The Board notes that he was not credited with participation in the Rhineland Campaign and will ensure that this is administratively corrected for the applicant.
The applicant’s military medical records appear to be intact and are available for review. A supplemental medical record, dated 22 April 1945, shows that he was treated at the battalion aid station for an undiagnosed disease with malaise, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. He was transferred to the 124th Evacuation Hospital. At that hospital he was diagnosed with gastro-enteritis, acute, and further evacuated to the 46th Field Hospital. On 24 April 1945, he arrived at the 298th General Hospital. He was discharged to duty on 30 April 1945 with a final diagnosis of enterocolitis, acute.
The applicant’s 18 April 1946 Report of Physical Examination, conducted the day prior to his separation, fails to show any entries concerning a wound or injury as a result of enemy action. The only significant medical condition listed was a 1943 operation for varicose veins.
The VA Form 10-1000 submitted by the applicant shows a past surgical history of shrapnel removed from the right knee. No other details are provided.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 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.
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. A careful review of the applicant’s available medical records fail to support his contention that he was wounded in combat and entitled to an award of the Purple Heart.
2. The VA Form 10-1000 is insufficient documentation by itself to show that the applicant was wounded in combat. There are no military medical records to corroborate a shrapnel wound to the right knee.
3. In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust. The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement.
4. 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 asked to administratively correct the applicant’s records to show entitlement to Rhineland campaign participation.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
__jl___ ___rd___ __rw___ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2001063334 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20020226 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | DENY |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.00 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100021414
The applicant requests correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Discharge) to show award of the Army of Occupation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Purple Heart, and to correct his service dates. In the absence of official orders or other documentary evidence, such as operation reports, after action reports, valor awards, witness statements, or any others evidence that conclusively shows he participated in active ground combat while...
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...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001065977C070421
The applicant requests that his records be corrected to reflect his award of the Purple Heart. Accordingly, that award should be entered in his records at this time. 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, the BSM, the CIB and the POW Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002077126C070215
The applicant's military records were not available. 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. Army Regulation 600-8-22, also authorizes award of the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal for qualifying service in the ETO for the period 7 December 1941 to 8 November 1945.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003089721C070403
The applicant's 17 October 1997 VA Rating Decision shows he was awarded service-connection for pain in the left knee as the result of a piece of shrapnel which he received in World War II. This document shows that, at the time of the applicant's assignment to the 147th Field Artillery Battalion, it was awarded assault credit for Noemfoor Island on 2 July 1944 by War Department Number 109, dated 1946. The applicant's unit was awarded assault credit for Noemfoor Island during a period of...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120010418
The applicant requests that his award of the Purple Heart be included on his discharge document. It is appropriate to correct his discharge document to show this wound and the award of the Purple Heart. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. deleting from the WD AGO Form 53-55, at item 33, the ETO Ribbon and, at item 55, the Lapel Button; b. awarding him the Good Conduct Medal for the period 12 June 1943...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100022323
Frostbite or trench foot injuries were also examples of injuries or wounds which clearly do not justify award of the Purple Heart DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows no combat wounds were recorded on his separation document. As he was not treated for a combat injury, there is no basis for awarding him the Purple Heart.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130019819
The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his records to show a second award of the Purple Heart and award of the Silver Star. The applicant provides copies of the following: * WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) * Honorable Discharge Certificate * a VA Form P-80a (Award of Disability Compensation or Pension) * seven character reference letters * letter from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. A VA...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080000525
The applicant requests correction of his Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge (WD AGO Form 53-55) to show award of the Purple Heart. While there are no available orders awarding the applicant the Purple Heart, the available evidence is sufficiently convincing to show that he was wounded in combat and received medical treatment for those wounds. __________ X_ _______ ___ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110012517
She also requests, in effect, correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) to show the Combat Infantryman Badge. The FSM's complete military records are not available to the Board for review. His WD AGO Form 24 does not show any combat wounds or awards of the Purple Heart or the Combat Infantryman Badge.