BOARD DATE: 22 August 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160001246 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___x_____ __x______ __x___ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration BOARD DATE: 22 August 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160001246 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. This action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the applicant in service to our Nation. 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. BOARD DATE: 22 August 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160001246 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, the son of a deceased former service member (FSM) requests replacement of the FSM’s Purple Heart (PH). 2. The applicant states the FSM received the PH for a non-life-threatening injury while serving in Korea. The FSM’s PH was stolen from his home about 5 to 10 years ago. The FSM passed away in August 2015 and it would be nice to be able to pass the PH to his grandson and other grandchildren. The applicant states the only evidence he has is the FSM's DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States). The FSM stated because he underwent rehabilitation in Japan, there is no record of the Purple Heart. 3. The applicant provides: * self-authored statement * death certificate CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The FSM’s military record is not available to the Board for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members’ records at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in 1973. It is believed the FSM’s record was lost or destroyed in that fire. The FSM’s reconstructed NPRC File contains his DD Form 214, this document along with the documents the applicant provided are sufficient for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of his case. 2. The FSM was inducted into the Army of the United States on 20 March 1951. He was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) on 19 December 1952 and transferred to the Enlisted Reserve Corps. 3. The DD Form 214 issued to the FSM upon his REFRAD shows he completed 21 months (1 year and 9 months) of creditable active service. It also shows he completed 11 months and 4 days of foreign service (Korea). 4. His DD Form 214 does not include the PH among the listed awards. Item 29 (Wounds Received as a Result of Action with Enemy Forces) contains the entry "None." 5. The FSM’s name does not appear in the Korean casualty file. His service medical records are not available for review with this case. 6. The applicant provides a death certificate that shows the FSM died on 26 August 2015. REFERENCES: Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained in action against an enemy or as a result of hostile action. Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify 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: 1. The criteria for award of the Purple Heart requires substantiating evidence to verify a Soldier received a wound/injury as a result of hostile action. The wound/injury must have required treatment by medical personnel and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record. 2. The applicant's sincerity is not in question; however, the FSM’s name is not shown on the Korean casualty file and his DD Form 214 does not indicate he received a wound/injury as a result of enemy action. The available evidence does not confirm that he met the criteria for award of the Purple Heart. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160001246 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160001246 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2