IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 25 January 2011
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20100017683
THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:
1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).
2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).
THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:
1. The applicant requests, in effect, award of the Purple Heart (PH) and correction of his record to show he was wounded during his Korean War service.
2. The applicant states he received a bayonet wound to his groin from a North Korean Soldier whom he killed. He was treated by a field medic and didn't go to the hospital for fear of being held back in Korea.
3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States).
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.
2. The applicant's military records are not available for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. It is believed the applicant's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. This case is being considered using the DD Form 214 provided by the applicant.
3. He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 8 August 1951 and trained in military occupational specialty 1641 (Wire Chief, Field). He was honorably released from active duty on 7 May 1953 after completing 1 year and 9 months of active military service.
4. His DD Form 214 shows in:
* item 26 (Foreign and/or Sea Service) 10 months and 24 days
* item 27 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) he received the Combat Infantryman Badge, Korean Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal
* item 29 (Wounds Received as a Result of Action with Enemy Forces) "None"
5. The applicant's name is not listed on the Korean Casualty File as having been wounded during the Korean War.
6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the PH is awarded for a wound sustained while in action against an enemy or 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 medical personnel, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The evidence of record does not support the applicant's request for award of the PH and correction of his record to show he was wounded during his Korean War service.
2. Although the record clearly shows the applicant served in Korea during the Korean War, the available documentation makes no reference to wounds he received in action.
3. To award the PH and correct his DD Form 214 to show he was wounded requires official documentation confirming his wound and showing the wound required medical treatment. Unfortunately, in this case this documentation is not available.
4. In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the requested relief.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
___X____ ___X____ ___X____ DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:
1. The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.
2. The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices he made in service to the United States during the Korean War. The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms.
__________X______________
CHAIRPERSON
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100017683
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100017683
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