| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Wanda L. Waller | Analyst |
| Mr. Melvin H. Meyer | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Curtis L. Greenway | Member | |
| Ms. Mae M. Bullock | Member |
2. The applicant requests award of the Purple Heart.
3. The applicant states, in effect, that he was diagnosed with frostbite during World War II. In support of his application, he submits a letter of explanation, dated 22 August 2002; a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation); and a postcard from the Casualty Branch, postmarked
23 April 1945.
4. 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
15 May 1943. He served as an intelligence scout in the European Theater of Operations from 19 September 1944 through 18 January 1946 and was honorably discharged on 2 February 1946.
5. The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award.
6. The Office of the Surgeon General Hospital List shows the applicant was hospitalized on 14 January 1945 for 102 days in the European Theater of Operations for frostbite (foot).
7. The applicant provided a postcard from the Casualty Branch of The Advocate General's Office, postmarked 12 May 1945. This postcard was sent to the applicant's mother on 23 April 1945 and advised her that the applicant was diagnosed with frostbite (foot) and was convalescing.
8. The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he received the Combat Infantryman Badge during World War II.
9. 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.
10. While award of the Purple Heart for frostbite injuries is currently prohibited, such injuries were previously a basis for the award. Until 23 August 1951, Army Regulation 600-45, which governed the award of Army decorations, stated that for the purpose of considering an award of the Purple Heart, a “wound” is defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force, element, or agent
sustained while in action in the face of the armed enemy or as a result of a hostile act of such enemy. An “element” pertains to weather and the award of this decoration to personnel who were severely frostbitten while actually engaged in combat is authorized.
11. Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service in military operations against an armed enemy. The Bronze Star Medal is authorized for each individual who was cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945 or whose achievement or service, during that period, was confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947. An award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Combat Medical Badge is considered to be a citation in orders. This means, in effect, that the Bronze Star Medal is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized either badge for service during World War II.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. Medical evidence of record shows the applicant was hospitalized on
14 January 1945 for 102 days in the European Theater of Operations for frostbite (foot). Therefore, the applicant is entitled to award of the Purple Heart and correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show this award.
2. The applicant received the Combat Infantryman Badge during World War II. Therefore, the applicant is entitled to award of the Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge) and correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show this medal.
3. In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:
a. by adding the entries, "Purple Heart" and "Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge)" in item 33 (Decorations and Citations) on the WD AGO Form 53-55 of the individual concerned:
b. by deleting the entry, "NONE" in item 34 (Wounds Received in Action) on the WD AGO Form 53-55; and
c. by adding the entry, "Frostbite (foot), 14 January 1945, European Theater of Operations" in item 34 on his WD AGO Form 53-55.
BOARD VOTE:
MHM___ CLG____ MMB_____ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
__Melvin H. Meyer________
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2002080654 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20030422 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT PLUS |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0015 |
| 2. | 107.0014 |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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