ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:

	BOARD DATE:  7 March 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20190000585


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  posthumous award of the Purple Heart to the Former 
Service Member (FSM)

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) dated 10 December 
2018
*	Applicant Self Authored Letter
*	FSM’s – Personnel Records
*	War Service Chevron
*	Certificate of Death


FACTS:

The applicant, the granddaughter of a deceased FSM, requests posthumous 
award of the Purple Heart to the FSM.  Applicant states on 24 November 1918, 
the FSM was shot in the line of duty, and admitted to Camp Hospital # 4.  The 
applicant states the FSM should be awarded a Purple Heart for receiving an 
injury in the line of duty.

2.  A Certification of Military Service shows the FSM served in the United States Army 
from 31 May 1917 to 26 August 1919.  

3.  His service records contain the following statement:  “This soldier admitted to Camp 
Hospital # 4 on November 24, 1918, sick in line of duty.”  The FSM received a War 
Service Chevron for the dates 23 March 1918, 23 September 1918 and 23 March 1919.  
A review of his service records shows the section for Wound Chevrons authorized is 
blank.  

4.  Army Regulation 600-95 (Authority for Wearing, and Supply of, Wound and War 
Service Chevrons) provided for award of a Wound Chevron for wounds sustained in 
action during World War I.  This regulation authorized award of a Wound Chevron to 
any member of an authorized military establishment who received a wound in action 
with an enemy of the United States that necessitated treatment by a medical officer.  
The regulation further stated that a Wound Chevron was not authorized in any case 
where medical treatment was not given.  

5.  The Purple Heart is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces who, while serving 
under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 
5 April 1917, died or sustained wounds as a result of hostile action.
6.  War Department Circular Number 6, dated 22 February 1932, published the initial 
criteria for the reestablished Purple Heart and ended authorization for award of the 
Wound Chevron.  The circular stated awards of the Purple Heart for acts or service 
performed prior to 22 February 1932 would be confined to the following persons:
     a.  members of the Army of the United States who were awarded the Meritorious 
Service Citation Certificate for expeditionary service in World War I;
     b.  individuals authorized to wear the Wound Chevron and who made application for 
the Purple Heart; and
     c.  individuals not authorized to wear the Wound Chevron prior to 22 February 1932 
who would otherwise have been authorized to wear that decoration under the provisions 
of Army Regulation 600-95.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After review of the application and all evidence, the Board determined there is 
insufficient evidence to grant relief.  The applicant’s contentions and supporting 
documents were carefully considered.  The Board agreed that the record and evidence 
is absent information showing the FSM was wounded by hostile forces in accordance 
with regulatory guidance that would entitle the FSM to the Purple Heart.

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:X	:X	:X	DENY APPLICATION




BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

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.


	  
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.


ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S):

Not Applicable

REFERENCES:

c.	Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military 
records must be filed within three 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 
three-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the 
interest of justice to do so.

2.  Army Regulation 600-95 (Authority for Wearing, and Supply of, Wound and War 
Service Chevrons) provided for award of a Wound Chevron for wounds sustained in 
action during World War I.  This regulation authorized award of a Wound Chevron to 
any member of an authorized military establishment who received a wound in action 
with an enemy of the United States that necessitated treatment by a medical officer.  
The regulation further stated that a Wound Chevron was not authorized in any case 
where medical treatment was not given.
3.  The Purple Heart was established by General George Washington at Newburgh, 
New York, on 7 August 1782, during the Revolutionary War.  In 1932, it was 
reestablished by the President of the United States per War Department General 
Orders Number 3.  It was awarded in the name of the President of the United States to 
any member of the Armed Forces or any civilian national of the United States who, 
while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed 
Services after 5 April 1917, died or sustained wounds as a result of hostile action.

4.  War Department Circular Number 6, dated 22 February 1932, published the initial 
criteria for the reestablished Purple Heart and ended authorization for award of the 
Wound Chevron.  The circular stated awards of the Purple Heart for acts or service 
performed prior to 22 February 1932 would be confined to the following persons:
     a.  members of the Army of the United States who were awarded the Meritorious 
Service Citation Certificate for expeditionary service in World War I;
     b.  individuals authorized to wear the Wound Chevron and who made application for 
the Purple Heart; and
     c.  individuals not authorized to wear the Wound Chevron prior to 22 February 1932 
who would otherwise have been authorized to wear that decoration under the provisions 
of Army Regulation 600-95.
//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170013165

3

1