| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Nancy L. Amos | Analyst |
| Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr. | Chairperson | ||
| Mr. Roger W. Able | Member | ||
| Mr. John T. Meixell | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: That he be awarded the Purple Heart.
APPLICANT STATES: That he received shrapnel wounds to his right ankle on 15 April 1953 and was treated at the battalion aid station. In the process of returning to civilian life, he forgot that he had not received the medal. He provides a copy of his Report of Separation, DD Form 214, which shows he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and a copy of the treatment record, which does not explain the shrapnel removal.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire in 1973. Information contained herein was obtained from alternate sources.
The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 20 March 1952. He arrived in Korea on an unknown date. Medical records show he was treated for cellulitis (also known as a bacterial skin infection) of the right ankle on 15 April 1953 and on 22 April 1953. He completed a separation physical on 16 March 1955. The Report of Medical Examination, SF 88, does not indicate he received any wounds or had any scars. He was released from active duty on 18 March 1955. His DD Form 214, item 29 does not indicate he was wounded in action.
On or about 19 January 1956, the applicant applied to the State of California Department of Veterans Affairs to establish eligibility for benefits. The “Preferential Status” section contained check blocks for “wounded” or “disabled.” The applicant did not check that he was wounded.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations. 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. The wound must have required treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record.
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. 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 of all services. To apply, veterans must provide a copy of their discharge paper to the Awards and Decorations Section, Headquarter, Air Force Personnel Center, 550 C Street West, Suite 12, Randolph Air Force Base, TX 78150-4714. 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.
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. The Board appreciates the applicant’s service to his country during a time of war; however, there is insufficient evidence to show his ankle problem was the result of being wounded by enemy action. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to show he is authorized award of the Purple Heart.
2. 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__ __RWA__ __JTM__ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2002071047 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 2002/06/20 |
| 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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