| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Deborah L. Brantley | Senior Analyst |
| Mr. Raymond J. Wagner | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Roger W. Able | Member | |
| Mr. John T. Meixell | Member |
2. The applicant requests that his records be corrected to reflect that he was separated in the rank of corporal (pay grade E-4), that his time as a prisoner of war be reflected on his separation document, and that his entitlement to the Prisoner of War Medal also be added to his separation document. In support of his request he submits a copy of his separation document and a newspaper article documenting his release from captivity in Korea.
3. The applicant's records were apparently lost or destroyed during the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. Information contained herein was reconstructed from alternative sources, including information contained on his 1954 separation document.
4. The applicant served an initial period of active duty between January and April 1947 and returned to active duty on 14 March 1951. He was assigned to the 7th Regiment of the 1st Cavalry while in Korea and was captured by enemy forces on 6 November 1951. According to information contained on his separation document, he was promoted to pay grade E-3 (private first class) on 6 December 1951. The applicant returned to military control on 21 August 1953 and on
13 March 1954 was honorably discharged in pay grade E-3.
5. In July 1990 officials at the Army Reserve Personnel Center authorized issuance of the Prisoner of War Medal. There is, however, no indication that the award was ever added to his separation document.
6. Army Regulation 635-5, then in effect, provided for specific comments in the remarks section of an individual's separation report. Information regarding time as a prisoner of war was not specifically identified as one of the comments authorized. However, the regulation did provide for entries "specifically authorized by the Department of the Army."
7. During World War II enlisted soldiers below the grade of master sergeant who had been absent from military control, under honorable conditions, for eighteen months or longer in a prisoner of war status, and had not received a one grade promotion since returning to military control, could be advanced one grade by their immediate commander. There is, however, no indication those provisions were extended to the Korean War era. There is no evidence available to the Board which indicates the applicant was ever recommended for, or promoted to the rank of corporal prior to his separation from active duty.
8. As a matter of information, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, the Government of the Republic of Korea issued the Korean War Service Medal to pay tribute to eligible Korean War veterans for their historic endeavors to preserve the freedom of the Republic of Korea and the free world. On 20 August 1999, the Department of Defense approved acceptance and wear of this foreign award to eligible United States veterans of the Korean War, or their surviving next of kin. The medal is provided at no cost to the veterans. The Department of Defense has assigned responsibility to the Department of the Air Force for distribution of the Korean War Service Medal to eligible veterans or their surviving next of kin. To apply, veterans must provide a copy of their discharge paper (Department of Defense Form 214) to the Awards and Decorations Section, Headquarters, Air Force Personnel Center, 550 C Street West, Suite 12, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 78150-4714. A sample request form is being provided to the applicant. Once the Korean War Service Medal has been authorized by the Department of the Air Force, the applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records to add this foreign award to his separation document.
9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the National Defense Service Medal for honorable active service for any period between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The evidence confirms that the applicant was entitled to the Prisoner of War Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. His records should be corrected accordingly.
2. Although there were no specific provisions for including information on an individual's separation document concerning their prisoner of war status, the Board concludes that information is relevant to an individual's record of service and may affect future entitlements for which the separation document serves as evidence or justification. As such, the Board concludes that it would be appropriate, and in the interest of justice, to include information in the remarks section of his separation document to show that he was a prisoner of war between 6 November 1951 and 21 August 1953.
3. Although soldiers who were prisoners of war for more than 18 months during World War II were routinely advanced one grade following their release, no such provisions were in place during the Korean War era. The Board notes that the applicant was promoted one grade within one month of captivity and that he served on active duty for approximately 7 months following his release from captivity in August 1953. The Board concludes that if the applicant had been recommended for promotion subsequent to his release from captivity, there was sufficient time, prior to his separation to accomplish that action. In the absence of more conclusive evidence that the applicant was recommended for promotion the Board finds insufficient evidence to promote the applicant now.
4. In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:
a. by showing that the individual concerned is entitled to the Prisoner of War Medal and the National Defense Service Medal; and
b. by showing in the remarks section of his 1954 separation document that he was a prisoner of war between 6 November 1951 and 21 August 1953.
2. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
__RJW__ __RWA__ __JTM __ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
___Raymond J. Wagner___
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2002070802 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20021010 |
| 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. | 107.00 |
| 2. | 110.00 |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002077167C070215
The issue as to whether this change in policy would be implemented retroactively to prisoners of war from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War was considered several times. Once the Korean War Service Medal has been authorized by the Department of the Air Force, the applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records to add this foreign award to his separation document. Additionally, the Board is convinced, based on the information contained in his Bronze Star...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 20040000162C070208
Item 27 (Decorations, Medal, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), of the applicant's DD Form 214, with an effective date of 8 December 1953, shows that he was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal, with Japan Clasp; the Korean Service Medal, with one bronze service star; and the United Nations Service Medal. Once the Department of the Air Force has authorized the Korean War Service Medal, the applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 20040008787C070208
Once the Department of the Air Force has authorized the Korean War Service Medal, the applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records to add this foreign award to his DD Form 214. The evidence shows that the applicant was a prisoner of war in Korea. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing: a. award of the Prisoner of War Medal; b. award of the National Defense Service Medal; c....
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 04102278C070208
The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Once the Korean War Service Medal has been authorized by the Department of the Air Force, the applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records to add this foreign award to his DD Form 214. The statements submitted in support of his request are not confirmed in any medical evidence available to the Board.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003089802C070403
The applicant states that during the Korean Conflict he was captured on 29 April 1951 by Chinese forces and was held captive as a prisoner of war (POW) until he was repatriated on 5 August 1953. Although the evidence of record does show that the applicant was medically retired subsequent to his repatriation, the evidence of record describing his disabilities does not rise to the level to qualify for award of the Purple Heart. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002077450C070215
The applicant's Service Record shows that he was a POW in Korea from 11 February 1951 to 30 August 1953. Once the Korean War Service Medal has been authorized by the Department of the Air Force, the applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records to add this foreign award to his DD Form 214. b. by amending his DD Form 214, with an effective date of 28 February 1954, to show he was awarded the Purple Heart, the POW Medal, two awards of the Republic of Korea...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002066798C070402
In support of his request, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from the Armed Forces; a letter from his counsel to his elected representative, Congressman Ehlers, Michigan, seeking assistance in gaining award of the POW Medal; a copy of WD AGO Form 8-27, Field Medical Card, showing that he was wounded in the right leg on 26 January 1953; and affidavits prepared by himself setting out the details of his wounding and captivity, and his two sisters, a brother and his...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060003779C070205
The applicant requests that he be awarded the Purple Heart and that his report of separation (DD Form 214) be corrected to reflect his time as a Prisoner of War (POW). Medical documents prepared at the time of his repatriation on 15 August 1953 clearly indicate that the applicant was wounded on the date of his capture by enemy forces in Korea on 27 April 1951. After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service, the Board has determined that the applicant should have received the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002073330C070403
Personnel awarded the Korean Service Medal automatically establish eligibility for award of the United Nations Service Medal. Once the Korean War Service Medal has been authorized by the Department of the Air Force, the applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records to add this foreign award to his DD Form 214. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Army Good Conduct...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100027625
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). It would appropriate to correct his DD Form 214 to show he was a POW from 18 May 1951 to 21 August 1953. 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 wounds received on 18 May 1951 and the Prisoner of War Medal; b. adding to item 26 of his 1962 and 1966 DD Forms 214 the following...