| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Wanda L. Waller | Analyst |
| Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Elzey J. Arledge | Member | |
| Ms. Regan K. Smith | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: In effect, award of the Purple Heart.
APPLICANT STATES: In effect, that he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart.
In support of his application, he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation); and a letter, dated 24 January 1946, from the War Department.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records were destroyed or lost during the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973. Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show that the applicant enlisted on 3 April 1941. He served as a light machine gunner in the European Theater of Operations from 28 August 1944 through 7 September 1945 and was honorably discharged on 24 September 1945.
The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award. Item 34 (Wounds Received in Action) on the WD AGO Form 53-55 states, “None.”
There is no evidence in the available records that shows the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart or was wounded as a result of hostile action during World War II.
The applicant provided a letter from the War Department, dated 24 January 1946, in support of his claim for the Purple Heart. This letter requests that the applicant provide any information on three missing crew members of a plane in which the applicant was a passenger on 24 March 1945. There is no evidence that the applicant was wounded or treated for wounds as a result of hostile action.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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, 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. There is no evidence of record, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows that he was wounded or treated for wounds as a result of hostile action during World War II.
2. The applicant signed his discharge document on 24 September 1945 attesting to the fact that he was not wounded in action and was not entitled to the Purple Heart.
3. In view of the foregoing, there is insufficient evidence upon which to base award of the Purple Heart in this case.
4. 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.
5. 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
RVO____ EJA_____ RKS____ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2001064071 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20020131 |
| 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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