DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORD

S

2 NAVY ANNE

X

WASHINGTON DC 20370-510

0

CRS
Docket No: 6639-01
25 January 2002

Dear

This is in reference to your application for correction of your
naval record pursuant to the provisions of Title 10, United
States Code, Section 1552.

A three-member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval
Records, sitting in executive session, considered your
application on 24 January 2002.
injustice were reviewed in accordance with administrative
regulations and procedures applicable to the proceedings of this
Board.
Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of
your application, together with all material submitted in support
thereof, your naval record and applicable statutes, regulations
and policies. In
opinion furnished
dated 11 December

addition, the Board considered the advisory
by the Awards Branch, Headquarters Marine Corps
2001, a copy of which is attached.

Your allegations of error and

conscientious consideration of the entire
found that the evidence submitted was

After careful and
record, the Board
insufficient to establish the existence of probable material
error or injustice.
concurred with the comments contained in the advisory opinion.
Accordingly, your application has been denied.
The names and
votes of the members of the panel will be furnished upon request.

In this connection, the Board substantially

It is regretted that the circumstances of your case are such that
favorable action cannot be taken.
You are entitled to have the
Board reconsider its decision upon submission of new and material
evidence or other matter not previously considered by the Board.
In this regard, it is important to keep in mind that a
presumption of regularity attaches to all official records.

Consequently, when applying for a correction of an official naval
record, the burden is on the applicant to demonstrate the
existence of probable material error or injustice.

Sincerely,

W. DEAN PFEIFFER
Executive Director

Enclosure

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAV

Y
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

HEADQUARTERS 

3280 RUSSELL ROA

D
QUANTICO.  VIRGINIA 22 134-S 103

 

TO:

IN REPLY REFER
165 0
MMMA-3
llDecO1

MEMORANDUM FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF

NAVAL RECORDS (BCNR)

Subj:

REQUEST FOR AD

,QN(S)

IN THE CASE OF

Encl:

(1) Copy of NPRC  
(2) Copy of CMC ltr 1650 MHM-3 of  
(3) Copy of CMC ltr of  

ltr 1650 of  

6Jan42

12Apr93

26Aug93

There have been previous replies provided to Congressional

1.
inquiries on April 12 and August 26,
a Purple Heart Medal.
enclosures 
from the Commandant of the Marine Corps to his mother on January 6,
1942, which states that there is no evidence of him being injured.

Copies of these replies are forwarded as

Enclosure (3) is a copy of a letter forwarded

1993 regarding his entitlement to

(1) and (2) 

_

During the period he served in the Marine Corps, the Purple Heart

2.
was authorized for award to those who were wounded or injured as a
direct result of action by an enemy of the United States or an
opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of
the United States was engaged.

Since

3.
requested in our letter of August 26, 1993, there was no further
action that we could take to make the appropriate decision regarding
his entitlement.

has not provided the additional information

which would qualify him for the

regulations require that he obtain eyewitness

The eyewitness statements can be from the medical

Since there is no indication in the records of the circumstances

4.
that he was injured under conditions,
Purple Heart award,
statements.
personnel who treated him in the field or two other personnel who were
present at the time he was injured.
time, place,
that the injury was a direct result of enemy action.
stated,
receiving the injury and their statement describes the circumstances
involved when he was injured,
his request.

As previously
if he can provide statements from individual who witnessed his

medical attention received, and detailed verification

further consideration will be given to

Statements should contain the

While it is understandable that anyone who is injured or dies
5.
during combat operations would appear to be entitled to the Purple
Heart Medal,
establish eligibility.

there must be a direct cause and effect relationship to

Thus, the injury or wound must have been

caused by enemy action.
While we do not intend to challenge the
veracity of his statement concerning the injury, it is absolutely
necessary that some documentation be provided to verify his
entitlement.

This Headquarters does not maintain a listing of former Marines

6.
and their addresses.
and enlisted Marines who were assigned to his former unit by
requesting copies of the unit rosters for the period in question from
the following address:

However, he may obtain a listing of the officers

Headquarters United States Marine Corps
Manpower and Reserve Affairs
2008 Elliott Road (Code MMSB)
Quantico,

22134-5103

VA 

Should he be able to obtain the names of former Marines that were
he may request assistance in locating them

7.
eyewitness to his injury,
from the below listed organizations:

Mail Call Editor
Leatherneck Magazine
P.O. Box 1977
Quantico, VA 22134
Telephone: l-800-336-0291
E-Mail:

leatherneck@mca-marines.org

Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
Vietnam Locator
8605 Cameron Street, Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD
ATTN: Mokie Porter
Telephone:
Fax: (301) 585-0519
E-Mail: www.wa.org

(301) 585-4000

20910

I regret that a more favorable reply is not possible and I realize

8.
that the-decision is not what he expected. In
his contributions to this Country and Corps.

no way does it diminish

9 .

A point of contact at MMMA is  

Mr.-@ 784-9210.

2

BUREAU OFNAVALPERSONNEL
RETIRED  RECORDS SECTION  
(PERS 
9700 PAGE BLVD
ST. LOUIS, MO 63132

313E)

IN REPLY  REFER TO

1650
MC  28 
12 April 

261-lb

1993

Dear 

Senator

-

This is   in further  

’ World War II veteran

r

2 March inquiry on behalf of
concerning his entitlement

revi:ew  of 

veteran'6  records fails to  

tb the Purple   Heart Medal.
A 
wounded or injured under conditions for which the Purple 
can be authorized.
alledged  wounds received  
that 
sephrbte,
wounds received,

relevant to the facts and  
zeal  

statement  he provided  
justify  

inaufflcient  to 
statementa  are required to be

le 
eyewitnese  

and include a  

The copied 

award.

The 

#how that he was   ever

circumetances  
a6 proof of 

Eurrounding  the
ita authenticity.

Heart

atteEcting  to
issuance  of

If further assistance or
required, please
(314)  538-3071.

information concerning awards is

feel free to contact this office directly at

Sincerely,

Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy
Head, Retired Records Section

--

- 

-

c

1650
MHM- 3

This is a follow-up to
Purple Heart award for
the U.S. Marine Corps.

o you concerning the
a former member of

served in the Marine Corps, the
or award  to those who were wounded

During the period
Purple Heart was
or injured as  a direct result of action by an enemy of the United
States or an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which
the Armed Forces of the United States was engaged.
A review of
service records and the records at this
Headquarters fails to reveal that he was ever wounded or injured
under conditions  for  which the Purple  Heart can be authorized.

Since there is no indication in his records that he was injured
under conditions which would qualify him for the Purple Heart
award, regulations require that he obtain eyewitness statements.
The eyewitness statements   can be from the medical personnel who
treated him or two other personnel who were present at the time
he was injured.
medical attention received, and verification that the injury was
the direct result of enemy action.

Statements should contain the time, place,

at was signed by Messers.
and Master Sergeant?

attests that

does not verify that
nor provides any

circumstances surrounding the wounds he
can provide the above information,
1 be given to his request.

further cons

I trust this information is satisfactory.

Sincerely,

.

I

/
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