| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Deborah L. Brantley | Senior Analyst |
| Ms. Joann H. Langston | Chairperson | |
| Ms. Regan K. Smith | Member | |
| Mr. John T. Meixell | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: Award of the Purple Heart.
APPLICANT STATES: He was treated for a chest wound caused by shrapnel from an enemy round. He notes that he received the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant, but never did receive the Purple Heart. In support of his request he submits a copy of his Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant award order.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records were likely lost or destroyed during the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center. Information contained herein was reconstructed from alternative sources, including information provided by the applicant.
The applicant entered active duty on 18 July 1952 and served overseas for approximately 16 months where he was awarded, among others things, the Korean Service Medal and the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant. The commendation ribbon recognized his meritorious service in Korea during the period 8 July 1953 to 27 July 1953.
On 28 May 1954 the applicant was released from active duty. His separation document, which he authenticated, does not reflect entitlement to the Purple Heart and item 29 (wounds received as a result of action with enemy forces) reflects "NONE."
There were no medical records provided by the applicant, or available to the Board. A review of historical files, maintained at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland, failed to confirm the applicant's entitlement to the Purple Heart.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for wounds 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 by a medical officer, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.
As a matter of information, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, the Government of the Republic of Korea issued the Korean War Service Medal to pay tribute to eligible Korean War veterans for their historic endeavors to preserve the freedom of the Republic of Korea and the free world. On
20 August 1999, the Department of Defense approved acceptance and wear of this foreign award to eligible US veterans of the Korean War, or their surviving next of kin. The medal is provided at no cost to the veterans. The Department of Defense has assigned responsibility to the Department of the Air Force for distribution of the Korean War Service Medal to eligible veterans or their surviving next of kin. To apply, veterans must provide a copy of their discharge paper (DD Form 214) to the Awards and Decorations Section, Headquarters, Air Force Personnel Center, 550 C Street West, Suite 12, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 78150-4714. A sample request form is being provided to the applicant. 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.
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. There is no evidence, nor has the applicant provided any, which confirms he was wounded as a result of hostile action during the Korean War. In the absence of such evidence, there is no basis for the Board to award the applicant the Purple Heart. His Commendation Medal with Metal Pendant, which recognized his meritorious service while in Korea, is insufficient evidence to conclude that he should also have been awarded the Purple Heart.
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 this 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
__JHL __ __RKS__ ___JTM _ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2002082563 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20030715 |
| 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. | 107.00 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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