| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Wanda L. Waller | Analyst |
| Mr. Samuel A. Crumpler | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Roger W. Able | Member | |
| Mr. Hubert O. Fry | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: Award of the Purple Heart.
APPLICANT STATES: In effect, that while serving as a clerk typist during World War II he sustained an injury to his left heel. He contends that on or about
18 December 1944 a bomb exploded breaking glass in a school where he was assigned and his left heel became infected from the glass. In support of his application, he submits a letter of explanation, dated 25 July 2002; and a newspaper article titled “VA office is place to start a Purple Heart inquiry.”
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records were destroyed or lost during the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973. Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show that the applicant was inducted on 10 January 1944. He served as a clerk typist in the European Theater of Operations from 22 July 1944 through 26 February 1946 and was honorably discharged on 13 March 1946.
The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation), which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award. Item 34 (Wounds Receive in Action) on his WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the entry, “NONE.”
There is no evidence in the available records that shows the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart or was wounded as a result of hostile action during World War II.
There are no medical records in the available records.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound 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, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.
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 noted the applicant’s contention that he was injured during World War II when a bomb exploded and shattered glass in his area.
2. There is no evidence in the available records which shows that he was wounded or injured as a result of hostile action.
3. The applicant signed his discharge document on 13 March 1946 attesting to the fact that he was not wounded in action and was not entitled to award of the Purple Heart.
4. Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that there is insufficient evidence upon which to base award of the Purple Heart in this case.
5. 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 this requirement.
6. 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
SAC___ RWA____ HOF_____ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2002077925 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20021126 |
| 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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