| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Jessie B. Strickland | Analyst |
| Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr. | Chairperson | ||
| Mr. James E. Anderholm | Member | ||
| Ms. Linda M. Barker | Member |
2. The applicant requests that her deceased husband, a former service member (FSM) be awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he sustained in combat on 14 July 1951, while serving in Korea.
3. The applicant states, in effect, that her husband was wounded in combat in Korea on 14 July 1951 and never received the Purple Heart for his wound. She goes on to state that he never spoke of his experiences in the war; however, he earned the Purple Heart and she desires to have it awarded to him. In support of her application she submits a copy of her husband's death certificate and a copy of his report of separation. Her counsel supports her application and suggests that the awards be presented to the applicant, the FSM's widow.
4. The FSM’s military records were destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, which destroyed millions of service records. However, information obtained from the FSM's DD Form 214 as well as information obtained from alternate sources show that the FSM was inducted in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 24 November 1950.
5. On 14 July 1951, the FSM was wounded by shrapnel to the right arm. He was treated and hospitalized for approximately 3 weeks before being returned to duty. There is no indication that he was awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds.
6. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant on 22 January 1952 and on 28 August 1952, he was honorably released from active duty and was transferred to the Enlisted Reserve Corps (now known as the United States Army Reserve). He had served 1 year, 9 months and 5 days of total active service and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Silver Star, the Korean Service Medal with one bronze service star and the United Nations Service Medal. He had no lost time.
7. The FSM died on 20 July 1999 and was survived by his wife, the applicant in this case.
8. 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 a result of hostile action, that the wound must have required treatment by a medical officer, and that the medical treatment was made a matter of official record.
9. That regulation also prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning award of the Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM). It states, in pertinent part, that the AGCM was established by Executive Order 8809, 28 June 1941 and was amended by Executive Order 9323, 1943 and by Executive Order 10444, 10 April 1953 and is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. The regulation also states, in pertinent part, that for first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950, a period of service of less than 3 years but more than 1 year qualifies for award of the AGCM.
10. Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides, in pertinent part, that the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954, both dates are inclusive.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The evidence of record clearly establishes that the FSM was in fact wounded in action against the enemy in Korea on 14 July 1951 and was treated for his wounds. However, there is no evidence to show that he was ever awarded the Purple Heart to which he was entitled. Accordingly, the Board finds that it would be in the interest of justice to award the FSM a Purple Heart and that it be provided to the applicant.
2. Additionally, while the records are very limited in this case, the Board finds that given his exemplary record and the fact that he had no bad time, it is reasonable to presume that the absence of an award of the AGCM was the result of an administrative error and not that of a commander denying him the AGCM at separation. Therefore, the Board finds that he should be awarded the AGCM for his service during the period of 29 November 1950 through 28 August 1952.
3. The Board also finds that he was authorized the award of the NDSM for his service and directs that he also be awarded that award as well.
4. 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 awarding the FSM the Purple Heart for wounds received on 14 July 1951, in action against the enemy in Korea and that it be provided to the applicant.
b. by awarding the FSM the AGCM for the period of 29 November 1950 through 28 August 1952; and
c. by awarding the FSM the NDSM for his service.
BOARD VOTE:
___ja ___ ___lb ___ __rvo ___ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
__Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.__
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2003087018 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 2003/08/17 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. 61 | 107.0015/PH |
| 2. 115 | 107.0069/NDSM |
| 3. 102 | 107.0056/AGCM |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090013120
Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards) provides that the National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 July 1950 through 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 through 14 August 1974, inclusive. In regards to the FSMs rank at the time of his REFRAD, the available evidence of record does not contain any evidence to show that he was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant while he was on active duty. As a result, the Board recommends that all...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090002785
The applicant states, in effect, that the FSM was wounded in action in Korea on 17 January 1952, and that she would like this recorded on his DD Form 214. The evidence of record also shows that based on his active duty service and his service and campaign participation in Korea, he is also eligible for NDSM, UNSM, ROK-WSM, ROKPUC, and four bronze service stars with his KSM. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002083107C070215
The FSM's DD Form 214 shows he received the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars. There is no evidence of record, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows the FSM was awarded two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, one award for valor. That so much of the application as pertains to correction of his DD Form 214 to show his rank as master sergeant, two additional awards of the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster with "V" Device, one...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080012878
The regulation provides that this service medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States dispatched to Korea or adjacent areas on behalf of the United Nations. There is no evidence of record, and the applicant has provided insufficient evidence, which shows that the FSM was awarded the Purple Heart or that he was wounded or treated for wounds as a result of hostile action in Korea. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050017127C070206
The applicant states the former service member (FSM) was wounded in Korea and received the Purple Heart. His military records, including his DD Form 214, properly document his wounds, medical retirement, and award of the Purple Heart. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding the FSM the Good Conduct Medal for the period from 26 February 1951 through 31 May 1952; and b. by showing that in addition to...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090008973
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). The FSM's DD Form 214 shows the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the United Nations Service Medal as authorized awards. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. posthumously awarding to him the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 16 September 1951 in...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130015776
The applicant requests that the records of her deceased father, a former service member (FSM), be corrected by awarding him the Purple Heart and adding it to his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States). Army Regulation 600-8-22 states the Republic of Korea War Service Medal (ROKWSM) is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in Korea and adjacent waters between 25 June 1950 and 27 July 1953. The FSM was wounded in action in Korea on 19...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070010761
In a second letter written by the eyewitness to the FSM's daughter, the eyewitness states, in effect, he believes that the FSM did not receive the Purple Heart due to the statements he [the FSM] made while he was still in the military. This, he states, could be the case with her father. The eyewitness' statements in support of the FSM being awarded the Purple Heart were considered; however, his statements are insufficient to reverse the decision of the Board, especially in view of the fact...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080009332
The applicant states, in effect, that the FSMs records should be corrected to show he was wounded in action and that he should be awarded the Purple Heart. The applicant claims that the FSM records should be corrected to show he was wounded in action and that he was awarded the Purple Heart; however, she has provided no evidence that the FSM was wounded as a result of enemy activity. The Board considered the magazine article presented by the applicant which indicates that the FSM was...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130012759
The applicant, the daughter of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of her father's DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show he was awarded or authorized the: * World War II Victory Medal * Navy Occupation Medal with Europe Clasp * Bronze Star Medal (BSM) * Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) * Purple Heart * National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) with bronze service star * Korean Service Medal (KSM) with 3 bronze service...