Dear : 
 
This letter is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552.  After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire record, the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board) found that the evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or injustice.  Consequently, your application has been denied. 
 
Although your application was not filed in a timely manner, the Board found it in the interest of justice to waive the statute of limitations and consider your application on its merits.  A three-member panel of the Board, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 12 December 2019.  The names and votes of the members of the panel will be furnished upon request.  Your allegations of error and 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, relevant portions of your naval record, as well as applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. 
 
The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors and considered your contention that you should have received the Purple Heart Medal.  Specifically, you contend that your shoulder had never been dislocated prior to the injury you incurred in June 1942, when you were thrown across the fire room of the , and dislocated your shoulder.  The Board considered your contention that there is no record of the treatment of your injury because “there were so many of us on board, then we were transferred to the  and the   was sunk alongside the .”  The Board also noted, for example, the report of medical survey on 6 October 1945 which states you provided information that you originally injured your shoulder in November 1941 “while playing football” and had experienced several dislocations since that event.  The Board, noting the regulations governing the award of the Purple Heart Medal require that documentation exists proving that wounds were received as the direct/indirect result of enemy action, concluded the re-dislocation of your shoulder during World War II did not meet the criteria for entitlement to a Purple Heart Medal.  Additionally, the 
Board noted the Purple Heart Medal was not historically awarded for soft tissue injuries.  Therefore, the Board determined that, despite your honorable service, your injuries do not qualify you for the award of the Purple Heart Medal. 
 
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 the submission of new matters, which will require you to complete and submit a new DD Form 149.  New matters are those not previously presented to or 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.