| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr. | Analyst |
| Mr. Fred N. Eichorn | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Hubert O. Fry | Member | |
| Ms. Marla J. Troup | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: Award of the Purple Heart.
APPLICANT STATES: That he was wounded in Korea and should have received the Purple Heart. He states that he was serving with Company E of the 17th Infantry Regiment when he was wounded in the right thigh. The applicant also stated that he was operated on in the Swedish Red Cross Hospital located at Pusan, South Korea.
In support of his application, the applicant provides a written statement, dated 17 February 2002, from his father.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's records have been lost or destroyed. This case is being considered based on reconstructed records which consist primarily of the applicant's DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States).
The applicant's DD Form 214 shows that he entered active duty on 20 June 1951 and completed training as an infantryman. He served over 22 months of overseas service; however, the exact dates and locations of his service are not shown on his DD Form 214. The applicant was separated on 4 August 1954 with a General Discharge.
There are no orders in the limited records available to the Board which show that he was awarded the Purple Heart. There also is no evidence that he was wounded or treated for wounds as a result of hostile action.
The applicant's DD Form 214 does not show award of the Purple Heart in item 27 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized).
The applicant's DD Form 214 also shows in item 29 (Wounds Received As A Result Of Action With Enemy Forces) the entry, "NA."
The applicant's reconstructed records contain a DD Form 215 (Correction of a DD Form 214). This form shows that, on 8 December 1954, the Adjutant General of the Army corrected the applicant's records to show all the awards to which the applicant was entitled. The Purple Heart is not among those awards shown on this DD Form 215.
The applicant's name is not listed on the Korean War Casualty Roster. There is no hospital record available from the Office of The Surgeon General which shows the applicant was wounded or treated for wounds as a result of hostile action.
A staff member of the Army Review Boards Agency conducted a review of unit records maintained at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. Review of these records did not reveal any General Orders authorizing the applicant an award of the Purple Heart.
The applicant provided a written statement from his father, dated 17 February 2002. The applicant's father stated only that his son was wounded in Korea on 19 June 1952. No additional evidence, such as medical records or a telegram from the Department of the Army notifying the next of kin of the applicant's wounds, were provided in support of this statement.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 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 considered the applicant's request for award of the Purple Heart.
2. There is no evidence in the records available to the Board which shows that the applicant was wounded or treated for wounds resulting from hostile action.
3. The Board noted that, at the time of the applicant's separation from active duty, his DD Form 214 did not show award of the Purple Heart.
4. The Board also noted that, when the applicant's records were corrected with a DD Form 215 on 8 December 1954, the Purple Heart was not among those awards added to his DD Form 214.
5. The Board noted the statement made by the applicant's father, particularly that the applicant was wounded on 19 June 1952. However, no additional evidence or other information was provided by the applicant or his father to support this statement. As a result, the Board determined that the statement by itself is insufficient for award of the Purple Heart, particularly in view of the military record which shows that he was not wounded and was not awarded the Purple Heart and particularly in the absence of any service personnel or medical record which confirms wounds or treatment resulting from hostile action.
6. 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.
7. 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
__FNE__ __HOF__ ___MJT__ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2002080650 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20030617 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | YYYYMMDD |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | AR . . . . . |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | DENY |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | MR CHUN |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0015.0000 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001059955C070421
The DD Form 214 for the period 24 October 1950 to 5 September 1952, block 29 (wounds received as a result of action with enemy forces), contains the entry “Near Wonju Korea – 12 Feb 51.” The evidence of record supports the applicant’s contention that he was awarded the Purple Heart. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart, KSM, UNSM and NDSM.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002084156C070215
The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein. EVIDENCE OF RECORD : The applicant's military records show: Review of these records did not reveal any General Orders authorizing the applicant an award of the Purple Heart.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002073373C070403
The applicant’s request for award of the Silver Star and Purple Heart were considered and denied by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records on 16 May 1973; however, the record of that Memorandum of Consideration is not in the applicant’s records. These records show that the applicant was examined on 15 February 1972, no evidence of injury or wounds was reported, and, as a result, the applicant was notified that service connection was denied on 26 April 1972. That all of the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070016376
The son of the deceased Former Service Member (FSM) requests that his father's record be corrected to show he was awarded the Purple Heart. Item 31 (Foreign Service) of his DD Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows that the applicant served in the Republic of Korea from August 1951 to November 1953; and the Republic of Vietnam from 8 March 1967 to 17 July 1967 and 26 May 1969 to 15 September 1969. Evidence shows the FSM is authorized the award of the ROKWSM.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002074668C070403
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. Once the Korean War Service...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002073724C070403
There are no orders in the applicant’s service personnel records which show that he was awarded the Purple Heart. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show award of this service medal. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned was awarded the Good Conduct Medal for the period 23 October 1951 through 3 September 1953 and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001065944C070421
I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. 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. Therefore, he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart and correction of his records to show this award.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002066999C070402
In support of her application, the applicant submits two copies of the FSM’s DD Forms 214 with effective dates of 9 October 1953 and 2 March 1955; and a Durable General Power of Attorney, dated 12 April 2001. 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. Medical evidence of record shows the FSM was wounded as a result of hostile action on 11 March 1951 in Korea.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002075943C070403
There are no orders in the applicant’s service personnel records which show that he was awarded the Purple Heart. 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 Board noted that the applicant authenticated his discharge document at the time of his separation from the Army which shows that he was not awarded the Purple...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001062294C070421
The applicant states that his DD Form 214 shows that he was wounded, but his discharge document does not show that he was awarded the Purple Heart. Based on the applicant’s active duty service during the period 16 January 1951 through 12 July 1952, he is entitled to award of the National Defense Service Medal and correction of his records to show this award. Based on the applicant’s service in Korea during the Korean conflict, the applicant is entitled to award of the Korean Service Medal...