| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Gale J. Thomas | Analyst |
| Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr. | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Roger W. Able | Member | |
| Mr. John T. Meixell | Member |
2. The applicant requests, in effect, that he be awarded the Purple Heart. The applicant states that he feels he is entitled to the award. In support of his request the applicant submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation), a copy of a telegram sent to his mother telling her of his injury, and a letter from the Veterans Administration Office informing him of his disability pension.
3. The applicant's military records were partially destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973. Information contained herein was obtained from an alternate sources.
4. The applicant is a World War II veteran who served overseas in Europe and participated in the Central Europe Campaign and the Rhineland Campaign.
5. The applicant’s mother received a telegram informing her that her son had been injured in May 1945 while stationed in Austria.
6. A medical report, from the 182nd General Hospital, shows that the applicant was treated for a sprained left ankle he sustained when he fell into a ditch while under enemy fire.
7. Hospital admission records provided by the Office of The Surgeon General,
show the applicant received a battle injury for which he received treatment. The report shows the applicant was diagnosed with an ankle sprain caused by falling in a ditch. The report also shows the disposition of his case as a disability separation, in the line of duty.
8. On 28 September 1945, the applicant received a disability discharge under the provisions of Army Regulation 615-361. His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the applicant was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the “European African Middle Eastern Service Medal,” and a Combat Infantryman Badge.
9. On 4 October 1945, the Veterans Administration Area Office notified the applicant that he would be receiving a 20 percent pension as a result of his disability (left ankle condition) incurred during his war service.
10. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for wounds 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.
11. Army Regulation 600-8-22 also 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 or whose such achievement or service, during that period, was confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947. An award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Combat Medical 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 authorized either badge for service during World War II. Award of the Bronze Star Medal based on the Combat Infantryman or Combat Medical Badge is commonly referred to as a conversion award.
12. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, for award of the World War II Victory Medal (WWII Victory Medal). It is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive.
13. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Army of Occupation Medal (AOM) is awarded for service of 30 consecutive days at a normal post of duty in a qualifying location. Personnel at a qualifying location as an inspector, courier, escort, temporary or detached duty are precluded from eligibility. For Germany, service must have been between 9 May 1945 and 5 May 1955 and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal must have been awarded prior to 9 May 1945. Based on his assignment with the 260th Infantry between January 1945 and July 1945, he is entitled to the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The evidence shows that the applicant was injured as the result of enemy fire in May 1945, was treated by medical personnel and verified by medical documentation. The applicant is therefore entitled to the Purple Heart.
2. The evidence also shows that the applicant is entitled to the World War II Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp.
3. The Board also notes that the applicant is entitled to a Bronze Star Medal as a conversion award based on his Combat Infantryman Badge and his record should be corrected to reflect that decoration.
4. 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 be corrected:
a. by awarding the applicant the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in May 1945 as a result of hostile action; and
b. by awarding the applicant the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp, and the Bronze Star Medal.
BOARD VOTE:
__RVO__ __RWA__ __JTM_ _ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2002068367 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20020620 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | YYYYMMDD |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | AR . . . . . |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120004593
The applicant's military records are not available for review. The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 and the Western Union telegram he provides are sufficient to show he was wounded in action on 25 January 1945; therefore, he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart and correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show this award. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him the: * Bronze Star Medal based on...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001064325C070421
The applicant’s records contain a 13 June 2001 letter to a Member of Congress wherein he contends that he was awarded two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Star Medals during World War II. There is no indication in the records available to the Board that the applicant was recommended for or received a second award of the Bronze Star Medal. There are no orders in the applicant’s personnel records which show that he was awarded a second Bronze Star Medal for his actions on or about 10 January 1945.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060006589C070205
The applicant requests correction of his WD AGO Form 53-98 (Military Records and Report of Separation) to show award of the Purple Heart and all awards and decorations to which he may be entitled. The applicant’s military records are not available to the Board for review. The applicant received award of the Bronze Star Medal prior to his release from active duty on 15 May 1946.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002070703C070402
The applicant requests, in effect, reconsideration of his earlier appeal to correct his records by awarding him the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). He is entitled to award of the Bronze Star Medal based upon the CIB. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that individual has been awarded the CIB, the Bronze Star Modal, the Purple Heart with First Oak Leaf Cluster, the Good Conduct Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with First Oak...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060011785
It also shows that he was authorized the Combat Infantryman Badge per Letter Order, WD AGO, D&A, dated 17 July 1946, with an effective date of pay of 27 December 1944, for his service during World War II. The evidence of record shows that the applicant was wounded in action on 10 January 1945, in Belgium, during World War II. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding the applicant the Purple Heart for...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080008232
The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show that he was awarded the Purple Heart. The evidence of record shows that the applicant's unit of assignment served a period of qualifying service for award of the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected: a. by awarding the applicant the Purple Heart for...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003089788C070403
Based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge, the applicant is entitled to an award of the Bronze Star Medal. In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records but only as recommended below. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge), the EAME with...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001064757C070421
In the absence of military records which show the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action and in view of the altered document and conflicting statements presented by the applicant, the Board determined that there is insufficient evidence upon which to base award of the Purple Heart in this case. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned is entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002082274C070215
In support of her claim for award of the Purple Heart, the applicant provided two newspaper articles which state that the FSM was wounded in action on 2 November in Germany. Therefore, the FSM's military records should be corrected to show award of the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 2 November 1944 in the European Theater of Operations. Therefore, the FSM is entitled to correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show award of the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080004549
The FSM's military record is not available to the Board for review. By regulation, in order to support award of the PH, there must be evidence that the wound for which the award is being made was received as a result of enemy action. The evidence shows that the FSM received the CIB during World War II, as confirmed by an entry in Item 31 of his separation document.