| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Wanda L. Waller | Analyst |
| Ms. Joann Langston | Chairperson | |
| Ms. Regan K. Smith | Member | |
| Mr. John T. Meixell | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: In effect, award of the Purple Heart.
APPLICANT STATES: In effect, that he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart because the ward officer of the 9th General Hospital in Okinawa transmitted a certificate for award of the Purple Heart on 22 December 1945. In support of his application, he submits a preprinted form from the 9th General Hospital in Okinawa.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records have been lost or destroyed. This case is being considered using reconstructed records. The applicant's reconstructed records consist primarily of the WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation), WD AGO Form 100 (Separation Qualification Record) and service medical records.
The applicant's reconstructed records show the applicant was inducted on
23 January 1945. He served as a shipmaster in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations from 16 October 1945 through 3 January 1946 and was honorably discharged on 15 August 1946.
The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award. Item 34 (Wounds Received 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.
The applicant's service medical records show that he was hospitalized in December 1945 in Okinawa for a skin condition on his right thigh, cause undetermined.
Item 11 (List all significant diseases, wounds and injuries) of the applicant's WD AGO Form 38 (Report of Physical Examination of Enlisted Personnel Prior to Discharge, Release from Active Duty or Retirement) shows the entry, "DERMATITIS, RIGHT LEG, DEC 45, 9TH GEN HOSP, OKINAWA."
In support of his claim for award of the Purple Heart, the applicant submitted a preprinted form from the 9th General Hospital in Okinawa which shows that he was diagnosed with Erythema (redness of skin) Multiforme (occurring in several forms) Centrifugia (moving away from a center), right thigh, cause undetermined, severe. This preprinted form contains Section I (Confirmation of Diagnosis), Section II (Additions or Changes of Diagnosis), Section III (Hereby transmitted is Certificate for PURPLE HEART) and Section IV (Ward and Transfers). It is clear that Section III is blank on this preprinted form. Also, there is a check mark next to Section III on this preprinted form.
There is no check mark next to Section III on the preprinted form contained in the applicant's 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 considered the applicant's contention that he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart because the ward officer of the 9th General Hospital in Okinawa transmitted a certificate for award of the Purple Heart on 22 December 1945. The Board also reviewed the preprinted form provided in support of his claim. However, it is clear that Section III on this preprinted form is blank. Also, the Board notes that the preprinted form contained in the applicant's available records does not contain a check mark next to Section III.
2. Medical evidence of record shows the applicant was hospitalized for a skin condition on his right thigh in December 1945, not as the result of hostile action.
3. There is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows that he was injured or treated for wounds sustained as a result of hostile action during World War II. Therefore, the Board determined that there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Purple Heart in this case.
4. 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.
5. 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_____ RKS_____ JTM_____ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2003084094 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20030717 |
| 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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