| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Edmund P. Mercanti | Analyst |
| Mr. Elzey J. Arledge, Jr. | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Thomas B. Redfern | Member | |
| Ms. Karen A. Heinz | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: Reconsideration of his earlier appeal to correct his military records by awarding him the Purple Heart (PH).
APPLICANT STATES: In effect, that the Board did not properly interpret the Surgeon General Office (SGO) files pertaining to his medical treatment in Korea. He states that he had a laparotomy (abdominal exploration is a type of surgery where the abdomen is opened [laparotomy] and explored [exploratory laparotomy] for examination and treatment of problems) to irrigate and treat a belly wound sustained when a mortar round landed 10 feet in front of him while he was attempting to rescue injured men. It was common practice at that time to remove the appendix anytime a surgeon opened the stomach cavity, which did in fact occur in his case during his laparotomy. The applicant contends that the second SGO entry, TRAUMATIC ABDOMEN INJURY, speaks for itself. He was an infantryman who was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, so this entry cannot be construed as anything but proof that he was wounded in combat. In addition, the fact that he was discharged well prior to the expiration of his term of service, as extended by law, also verifies that he was wounded. As for him signing his DD Form 214, he signed the form and it was later mailed to him.
NEW EVIDENCE OR INFORMATION: Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in a memorandum prepared to reflect the Board's previous consideration of the case (AR2001061608) on 20 September 2001.
A health record research project, commonly referred to as the "SGO Files", involved transposing the hospital admission card data from the periods of World War II and the Korean conflict onto magnetic tape. In 1988 the National Research Council made these tape files available to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). Searches of these files show that the applicant was hospitalized on 8 September 1951 for acute gastroenteritis (An inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by bacteria or bacterial toxins). He was hospitalized again on 27 October 1951 for malaria. He was hospitalized a third time on 23 November 1951 for an appendectomy, traumatic hematoma (Bleeding into the skin, subcutaneous tissues [under the top layer of skin], or mucous membranes ["skin" covering your mouth and lips]) and complications of surgical treatment.
The applicant’s contentions are new argument that requires Board consideration.
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. Contrary to the applicant's contentions, the SGO files clearly show that he was hospitalized on three occasions for illnesses and surgical complications, not injuries (wounds).
2. While the applicant served as an infantryman during the Korean War, and was released prior to the expiration of his term of service, neither of these facts establish that he was wounded in combat. Army regulations provide many reasons to release a soldier from active duty prior to his or her ETS, one of which is physical unfitness. A separation due to physical unfitness is not contingent upon the physical unfitting condition being incurred as a result of combat.
3. As such, there is still insufficient evidence on which to award the applicant the PH.
4. The overall merits of the case, including the latest submissions and arguments are insufficient as a basis for the Board to reverse its previous decision.
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
___eja___ ___kah__ ___tbr___ DENY APPLICATION
Carl W. S. Chun
| CASE ID | AR2002073921 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20020917 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.00 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120019720
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) to show award of the Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge. A Standard Form 88 (Report of Medical Examination), dated 26 December 1952, states the applicant had been hospitalized in Japan and Camp Cooke for a missile wound to his right hand that required some skin graft from his right thigh. Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify that the wound was the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002071653C070402
The applicant was found not fit for any military duty and it was recommended that his case go before a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). The applicant is also entitled to correction to his DD Form 214 to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge for his service in combat in Korea. c. by showing on the DD Form 214 dated 30 June 1952 of individual concerned, three awards of the Purple Heart and the Combat infantryman Badge; and
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090004169
The applicant's DD From 214 shows he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 5 bronze service stars. Based on the above information and finds, it is appropriate to correct the applicant's DD Form 214 to show his awards as: the Purple Heart, the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with 1 silver service star, the United Nations Service Medal, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. As a result,...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001064788C070421
Item 29 of that DD Form 214, wounds received as a result of action with enemy forces, has “Flesh, left lower leg. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service. The applicant should provided a copy of his DD Form 214 (and DD Form 215, if appropriate) together with a request that he be issued the award to the US Air Force...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001065665C070421
A third file shows the above two wounds on 12 December 1943, and shows that he was discharged from the hospital on 3 March 1944. The applicant received wounds to his foot and to his abdomen in December 1943. His record should reflect that he participated in both those assault landings, and should show award of the bronze arrowhead to the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090010450
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). While the SGO files indicate the applicant's knee condition was recorded as a "battle casualty," there is no other evidence available to the Board or provided by the applicant which confirms the accuracy of that entry on the SGO files. In this particular case, in the absence of more compelling medical evidence which supports the accuracy of the information in the SGO files concerning the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002068198C070402
Personnel awarded the Korean Service Medal automatically establish eligibility for 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. The applicant is entitled to award of the National Defense Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120001370
The applicant requests that his records be corrected by show entitlement to the Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge. 1 year, 11 months, and 10 days of creditable active duty service from 13 February 1952 through 1 February 1954; c. 1 year, 10 months, and 4 days of foreign service; d. award of the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars, United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal; e. his most significant duty assignment was with the Heavy Mortar...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130001337
A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in 1973. He had completed 3 years active duty service. The evidence shows he was wounded in action in North Korea on 4 October 1951.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002079317C070215
In 1988 the National Research Council made these tape files available to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). The statement from the medic who treated the applicant places his wound during the time which he served in Korea, as established by the statements submitted with the applicant's prior application to the Board. As such, the medic's statement is accepted as evidence that he was wounded as a result of hostile action and that he was treated by a medical officer.