| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Deborah L. Brantley | Senior Analyst |
| Ms. Joann Langston | Chairperson | |
| Ms. Margaret V. Thompson | Member | |
| Mr. Richard T. Dunbar | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: That his records be corrected to reflect that he was wounded while in combat and that he was treated for his wounds in a hospital in England.
APPLICANT STATES: In effect, that he was wounded in both legs while in combat and that he was hospitalized in England but the information was not recorded "in item 34 of [his] discharge paper." He states that he believes the error may have occurred because "most of the help [in the hospital] was [of] English decent (sic)." He submits no evidence in support of his request.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
He entered active duty on 7 January 1941 and arrived in the Overseas Theater of Operations in December 1942.
Files maintained by the Office of The Surgeon General, commonly referred to as the SGO files, indicated the applicant was hospitalized in February 1944 for varicose veins. Extracts from the admission and disposition records of the 3rd Station Hospital confirms the applicant's hospitalization for varicose veins and that he underwent surgery for the condition. According to unit morning report entries, the applicant returned to duty in March 1944. Entries in the applicant's military personnel file indicate he was transferred to a hospital in July 1944 and returned to duty in October 1944. The location of the hospital and purpose of hospitalization, however, is unknown. In a 1968 disability application, however, the applicant indicated he was treated for gangrene in his legs between June 1944 and October 1944, and was hospitalized in England in July 1944. There is no indication in his files regarding the source of the gangrene or any indication it was related to hostile actions.
The applicant also indicated, in a January 2002 statement to the National Personnel Records Center, that he was severely wounded "in both lower legs by a shell from a German Tank…some time after December 22nd, 1944."
The applicant returned to the United States in August 1945 and on 24 August 1945 he was discharged as a result of demobilization. His separation report, which he authenticated, reflects "None" in item 34 (wounds received in action).
An October 1945 "Disability Pension & Dental Claim" form does indicate the applicant was treated for varicose veins while in the military, but makes no reference to any wounds sustained as a result of hostile action.
Item 34 on the War Department Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) limited entries to wounds received in action.
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. Although there is evidence the applicant was hospitalized on several occasions during World War II, there is no evidence he was ever hospitalized, or treated, for any wounds sustained as a result of hostile action. In particular the Board notes that the applicant's contention that he was wounded in December 1944 is not supported by any evidence in available records, or provided by the applicant. In the absence of such evidence, the Board concludes there is no basis to correct item 34 on his separation document.
2. 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 that requirement.
3. 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
__JL____ __MVT __ __RTD __ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2002075480 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20021017 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | YYYYMMDD |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | AR . . . . . |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | DENY |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 110.00 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100007572
The applicant's military records are not available to the Board for review. The applicant previously submitted various medical documents showing treatment for an abscess on his left leg; however, none of his documents showed a cold weather injury. Notwithstanding the applicant's sincerity, in the absence of additional documentation that conclusively shows he was wounded or injured as a result of hostile action or that he suffered a severe cold weather injury while engaged in combat and...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001063334C070421
In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice. The applicant requests...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 20040000611C070208
He was evacuated for a wound in the left calf of leg (not varicose veins). 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. There is nothing in any other hospital documents regarding the wound.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110011341
The FSM's military records are not available to the Board for review. The applicant is basing his request for award of the Purple Heart to the FSM on the WD AGO Form 8-24, dated 12 August 1945, which clearly shows the FSM sustained NBC gunshot wounds after being shot by a Frenchman who also shot into several U.S. The applicant provided insufficient evidence to show the FSM was hospitalized to receive medical treatment for severe frostbite or frozen feet while engaged in combat.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001057846C070420
The applicant states that the FSM was wounded in action and should have been awarded the Purple Heart. The applicant provided a copy of a letter from the FSM to his brother, dated 13 December 1944, in which he stated that he was in England and in a hospital for a leg wound he received in Germany on 24 November 1944. The evidence of record shows that the FSM received a thigh wound on 24 November 1944 while serving in the European Theater of Operations.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050002260C070206
The applicant also contends that the clinical record shows the award, referring to the printed entry on the clinical record (i.e., "Purple Heart Awarded:"). There is no evidence the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart. The Board further determined that the evidence presented for award of the Purple Heart for a wound to the applicant's left leg does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060015259
There is no evidence in the available records which shows the applicant was wounded a second time as a result of hostile action. Item 11 (List all significant diseases, wounds, and injuries) on the applicants WD AGO Form 38 (Report of Physical Examination of Enlisted Personnel Prior to Discharge, Release from Active Duty or Retirement), dated 25 September 1945, shows he was hospitalized in England in February 1944 for trouble with right knee. This medical record also shows the applicant...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100018986
The applicant, the widow of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Discharge) to show award of the Purple Heart. The FSM's military service records are not available to the Board for review. Item 34 of the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the entry "None"; however, based on the above, the entry should be corrected to show the FSM was wounded in action on 29 November 1944 in the EAMETO.
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-04155
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04155 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal. The applicant provided as evidence an eyewitness statement, which gives the date of the injury as 6 June 1944, and the site of the injuries as the former service members leg. ...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090009165
The applicant provides a self-authored letter, dated 18 November 2008, requesting that his father be awarded the Purple Heart; a copy of the deceased FSMs State of Louisiana Certificate of Death; a copy of his deceased mothers State of Louisiana Certificate of Death; two copies of a memorandum from the deceased FSM addressed to the Adjutant General, dated 22 August 1945, requesting that he be furnished copies of orders awarding him the Purple Heart; two copies of the deceased FSMs...