| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Richard P. Nelson | Analyst |
| Mr. Curtis L. Greenway | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Ernest W. Lutz | Member | |
| Mr. Larry C. Bergquist | Member |
2. The applicant requests, in effect, that the records of his late father, a former service member (FSM), be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart as a result of wounds received in combat during World War I.
3. The applicant states the FSM was wounded in WWI and did not receive the Purple Heart as a result of his wounds. He further states that, as a son, he would like to have the Purple Heart presented to him, on behalf of his late father.
4. In support of his request, the applicant has submitted copies of the FSM’s National Guard Enlistment Record; Record of Discharge form The National Guard of the United States, dated 5 August 1917; Form No. 525, A.G.O. (Honorable Discharge from the United States Army and Enlistment Record), dated 12 January 1919; and a Letter to the FSM from the United States Veterans Bureau, dated 28 October 1930.
5. The FSM’s military records show that he enlisted in the Kansas National Guard on 15 June 1917. He was discharged from the Kansas National Guard and drafted into federal service on 5 August 1917 by Presidential proclamation. The FSM then shipped out to the war in Europe on an unknown date. He participated in the Battle of Verdun in September 1918. The FSM returned to the United States and was honorably discharged on 12 January 1919. The portion of the FSM’s Enlistment Record entitled “Wounds received in service:” indicates “G.S.W. Left Ankel.”
6. United States Veterans Bureau letter addressed to the FSM, dated 28 October 1930, contains the following statement: “Supplemental records recently furnished by the adjutant general’s office in Washington, D.C. show you had a gunshot wound in service. Your physical examination on October 14, 1930, shows a moderate injury to the left ankle resulting from the gunshot wound, and in view of the evidence contained in the report of your service medical record your present condition is being held as of service origin.”
7. Paragraph 2-8d of Army Regulation 600-8-22 governs award of the Purple Heart for wounds sustained during World War I. In pertinent part, this paragraph authorizes award of the Purple Heart to any member of the Army who, during World War I, was awarded a Meritorious Service Citation Certificate signed by the Commander-in-Chief, American Expeditionary Forces, or who was authorized to wear wound chevrons.
8. Paragraph 6-15a of Army Regulation 600-8-22 governs award of the World War I Victory Button. This paragraph states, in pertinent part, that the Silver World War I Victory Button is issued to persons wounded in action during World War I and the Bronze World War I Victory Button is awarded to all others.
9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the World War I Victory Medal. It is awarded for service between 6 April 1917 and 11 November 1918.
10. Paragraph 6-6 of Army Regulation 600-8-22 governs award of clasps authorized for wear on the Good Conduct Medal, World War I Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal and Antarctica Service Medal. This paragraph states, in pertinent part, that the World War I Victory battle clasp is a bronze bar with the name of the campaign or words “Defensive Sector,” and with a star at each end of the inscription. The World War I service clasp is a bronze bar with the name of the country where the service was performed inscribed thereon.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The FSM's Enlistment Record shows that he was wounded during his service in World War I. The record indicates that the wound was to the left ankle and was a result of gun fire. However, the date of the wounding and any medical treatment received is not documented in the available military records.
2. A letter from the United States Veterans Bureau indicates that the FSM sustained a gunshot wound to the left ankle while in service.
3. Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that there is sufficient evidence to show that the FSM was wounded as a result of hostile action during World War I. The FSM should have been authorized to wear wound chevrons however, it appears that this was administratively overlooked, either in the theater of operations, or upon his return to the United States and subsequent discharge from the Army. As a result, the Board determined that the FSM is entitled to a posthumous award of the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat.
4. The FSM is entitled to the Silver World War I Victory Button as a result of wounds sustained in combat. Therefore, the FSM is entitled to issuance of the Silver World War I Victory Button.
5. The Board noted the absence of the World War I Victory Medal and service clasps, to be affixed to it.
6. Evidence of record shows that the FSM served in the battle of Verdun. The Franco-American portion of the battle of Verdun was fought in September 1918, in France, a part of the St. Mihiel campaign. Therefore, the FSM is entitled award of the World War I Victory Medal. He is also entitled to issuance of a bronze bar battle clasp for the St. Mihiel campaign and a bronze France service clasp, both to be affixed to his World War I Victory Medal.
7. 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 by showing that:
a. The FSM was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained during World War I;
b. The FSM was posthumously issued the Silver World War I Victory Button, and the World War I Victory Medal with St. Mihiel battle clasp and France service clasp; and
c. The applicant, as the representative of the next of kin of the FSM, be issued the posthumous awards.
BOARD VOTE:
___ewl__ ___lcb___ ___clg___ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
_________Curtis L. Greenway______
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2003086152 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20031030 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | YYYYMMDD |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | AR . . . . . |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110024294
The applicant provides copies of: * FSM's 14 November 1918 letter * FSM's Enlistment Record * FSM's Form Number 525 (Honorable Discharge Certificate) * Extract from "Otter Tail County Minnesota in the Word War" * her 21 October 2011 letter clarifying the FSM's first name * Army Review Boards Agency 8 November 2011 letter * Notarized copies of her birth registration and marriage certificate * Family Group Sheet * confirmation note from The Bible * documents concerning the FSM's funeral...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100000710
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). The FSM's military records were not available to the Board for review. Records show that the FSM was wounded during his service in WWI.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110010071
The FSM's military records were not available to the Board for review. Records show the FSM was wounded during his service in WWI. The FSM's records show he served for a qualifying period of service for award of the WWI Victory Medal and three Battle Clasps for the Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne campaigns and correction of his records to show these awards.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050003134C070206
However, based on the foregoing, there is conclusive evidence to show that the FSM was wounded as a result of hostile action during World War I. Therefore, the FSM's service records should be corrected to show these awards. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing award of the Purple Heart for wounds received on 27 September 1918, a Silver World War I Victory Button, and a World War I Victory Medal with...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 040006516C070208
The Center for Military History shows that the 6th Infantry Regiment participated in four campaigns during World War I – St. Mihiel, Meuse- Argonne, Alsace, and Lorraine. Consequently, the applicant’s request for award of the CIB to his deceased father cannot be granted. Then, the FSM is entitled to award of the World War I Victory Medal with the St. Mihiel battle clasp and the France service clasp.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140002312
The applicant provides: * Her certificate of birth * Her certificate of marriage * Her father's certificate of death * 1940 census of her father living with his parents * 1930 census showing her father living with his parents * 1910 census showing her grandfather, the FSM's brother * Birth certificate of the FSM's brother * Death certificate of the FSM's brother * Death certificate of the FSM's father * County Orphan Court Records * FSM's birth certificate * FSM's World War I registration...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140021381
The applicant, the daughter of a deceased former service member (FSM) who served in World War I, requests correction of the FSM's records to show he was awarded the Purple Heart, Silver Star, and any other awards he is authorized. The FSM's records show he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. posthumously awarding the FSM the Purple Heart for wounds...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090011270
The applicant requests, in effect, that the records of her deceased father, a former service member (FSM), be corrected to show he earned the following awards as a result of his service during World War I (WWI): a. Purple Heart b. WWI Victory Medal with four service stars c. WWI Victory Button (silver) d. Army Service Clasp for service in France e. Army Battle/Campaign Clasp f. Army of Occupation of Germany Medal 2. However, the available documents verify only his participation in the St....
ARMY | DRB | CY2005 | 20050012225
Robert D. Morig | |Member | The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Based on his service in France with the 78th Division, he is also entitled to the World War I Victory Medal with St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector Battle Clasps and the France Service Clasp, and the World War I Victory Lapel Button (Silver), which denotes he was wounded in action. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140017913
Records show the FSM served in the France during World War I. Therefore, the FSM's records should be corrected to show award of the France service clasp to be affixed to his previously awarded World War I Victory Medal. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by posthumously awarding the FSM the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in Soissons, France on 18 July 1918 and the France service clasp to be affixed to his...