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Post by robersabel on May 30, 2008 13:54:03 GMT -5
Former wounded POWs that served ground units during WWII being denied Purple Heart.
It has been 4 years since my initial experience with the U.S. Army when they refused to recognize or interpret Army Regulations, and a Public Law approved by Congress.
Today there has been no change while the USAF is approving requests to former WWII POWs that received identical wounds during their service in the AAF. The AF took jurisdiction over all former AAF personnel in 1957.
If any veteran, next of kin fits the description above, or concerned individual that wants to get involved with their Representative of Congress to correct the injustice...contact me.
I will furnish all material by email if desired.
Robert E. Johnson
Robersabel@aol.com
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Post by robersabel on Jul 9, 2009 14:03:16 GMT -5
Stalag Luft III located in Sagan, Germany was evacuated 28 January 1945 when approached by the advanced Soviet Union Army.
The majority, if not all occupants were AAF personnel. The forced march during the inclement weather caused many to experience severe frostbite.
According to guidelines, all POW's wounded during captivity are eligible for the Purple Heart.
The Air Force took jurisdiction over former AAF personnel in 1957. Today, the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records is approving requests for the Purple Heart to all AAF veterans that were wounded during captivity.
While the Army Board for Correction of Military Records is denying every request I have been involved to former Army ground personnel, i.e. Infantry, Tankers, etc..
That includes a former member of the 106th that is entitled to the Purple Heart, (First Oak Leaf Cluster), and Purple Heart (Second Oak Leaf Cluster.
Why? No support by members of Congress, and veterans...especially fellow members of the 106th.
Stand up, and be counted by contacting your Congressman or Senator. I would be happy to provide the material.
Robert
Robersabel@aol.com
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Post by robersabel on Mar 11, 2011 17:08:57 GMT -5
Question requires answered by someone: Why are veterans of WWII that were ground combatants that experienced severe frostbite during combat or in captivity being denied the Purple Heart?
The responses by the U.S. Army includes officers and civilian employees are contrary to the following:
Guidelines dated 1943, and 1944.
Procedures post WWII involving former POW processing stations on the East coast, (documented).
The Army Awards Branch letter, dated 1998
The AF Board for Correction of Military Record justifying approvals for the Purple Heart by identical guidelines, and finally
A local civilian attorney, USAFR Colonel, former JAG officer. He provided a five page letter of opinion stating (in part) severe frostbite entitles the medal.
Robert
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Post by connie on Mar 12, 2011 3:27:38 GMT -5
Robert,
It is sad when an award is deserved, desired, and denied.
You have been at this a while. I hope you find others who share your focus -- and a receptive ear with the power to move changes.
I know little about the awards process. But I do believe that no award ever created recognizes the challenges faced by our POW's.
Good luck.
Connie
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Post by robersabel on Mar 17, 2011 15:01:41 GMT -5
For what it is worth...not only were there hardships, suffering from mistreatment experienced by the POW's, but failure by our own military to fully recognize military personnel for wounds incurred during combat or captivity.
Two former POW's came to mind as I read inputs in this site. The first is a Silver Star recipient. During the act, he was wounded. He was taken prisoner, and experienced additional wounds. Paperwork was prepared, and a request for the Purple Heart, Purple Heart (First Oak Leaf Cluster) was submitted. Both were denied.
The second was a veteran of the battle of the Bulge. He also was taken prisoner, and incurred wounds. Upon repatriation, he was sent to Wakeman General Hospital for a period of 79 days to recuperate from his wounds. He was medically discharged.
His daughter submitted a request for posthumous award of the Purple Heart. It was denied. An appeal was submitted. It also was denied. The Army advised her the last recourse was court action. She contacted an attorney which asked for a fee of approximately $40,000. To enforce the guidelines?
Robert
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Post by floydragsdale on Mar 18, 2011 9:57:02 GMT -5
Hello Robert:
The U.S. Army wants 150% proof of wounds or injuries before they will issue a purple heart.
I turned down two purple hearts during the "Bulge Campaign" because I only had flesh wounds. Later I discovered some G.I.'s were getting purple hearts for nothing more than a scratch on their nose, or their rear end.
After I was discarged from the Army I applied for the medal with almost 100% proof and was turned down two or three times by the Army. Finally, I gave up
Veterans who were issued the medal seem to have special considerations from the Veterans Administration.
I was too soon dumb and too late smart.
Floyd
424th Regiment
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Post by robersabel on Mar 18, 2011 15:10:22 GMT -5
Floyd,
>After I was discarged from the Army I applied for the medal with almost 100% proof and was turned down two or three times by the Army. Finally, I gave up
I have heard the same from other WWII veterans. Obviously, pushing ninty or the century mark, veterans have other matters to attend to. Thay have been through one battle, and are not interested to experience another for any type medal, regardless the level.
However, I believe the Army is not taking in consideration there are always NOK to contend with such as the daughter of the one mentioned above.
The Army is not recognizing the whole picture. Besides AR 600-45, dated 22 September 1943, there is AR 600-45, dated 3 May 1944 that obviously is unknown or not applied.
Paragraph 16. Purple Heart a. (2) (in part): A wounded soldier's unsupported statement may be accepted in unusual or extenuating circumstances when, in the opinion of the officer making the award, no corroborative evidence is obtainable. However, the statement will be substantiated if possible.
My experience with Representatives of Congress in my state is a waste of time. Perhaps yours are different. Have you contacted them or a VSO for assistance?
Robert
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Post by connie on Mar 18, 2011 15:23:36 GMT -5
I just heard a brief note on the noon news that the army is changing its rules on the issuance of purple hearts and instituting an appeals process in an effort to correct a problem with qualified soldiers being denied the medal. I have no idea if this is just for contemporary soldiers or if it has elements that could be helpful to WWII wounded. Do you know anything about this, Robert?
Connie
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Post by floydragsdale on Mar 18, 2011 19:49:45 GMT -5
Hello Robert:
Two, maybe three times I've tried trough my local Congressman to get the Purple Heart; however, no luck. Several times the Veterans Administration turned me down.
I get the reply, "It isn't on your record". Of course it isn't because I refused to accept the award both times. I witnessed men, during the "bulge Campaign" who lost arms and legs. One severely wounded soldier said to a medic, "Let me die, I don't want to live like this." Time and again I witnessed such sad situations.
Based on what I saw happening around me, my conscience wouldn't permit me to accept the Purple Heart award. Yet, when I realized some G.I's accepted the award for getting cut by a C ration can, I changed my mind. However, I was too soon dumb and two late smart.
At Ennal Belgium, in January 1945, German machine gun fire riddled my clothes and I escaped with only minor wounds. Also, my feet and hands were froze and my body ached with fever. At the time, I didn't give a hoot about a Purple Heart; I was just thankful to be alive. That day, a number of G Company men had their rendezvous with death. I was one of the fortunate survivors and was taken to a Hospital for treatment that January mornng.
Floyd,
424th Regiment
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Post by robersabel on Mar 19, 2011 12:23:06 GMT -5
Floyd, >Also, my feet and hands were froze The two guidelines identified above list the definition of a wound and defines the word "element." It dies not require a college graduate to understand the meaning. Same reference as above, "In connection with the definition of "wound' above, the word "element" refers to weather and permits award to personnel severely frostbitten while actually engaged in combat." Are you collecting disability for frostbitten extremities? It was not uncommon for repatriated POW's returning to the East coast were processed, and awarded Purple Heart for wounds incurred while in captivity. Records reveal a number of former Army POWs were repatriated and processed at the Army Service Forces, Army Ground and Service Forces Redistribution Station, Miami Beach Florida, and AG & SF Redistribution Station Ashville, North Carolina. Under the provisions of Army Regulations 600-45 a Purple Heart is awarded to Army personnel by Special Orders 108, dated 23 July 1945. A letter from the War Department, The Adjutant General’s Office, Washington, D.C., dated 10 November 1945 authorized (directs) the Purple Heart to a number of former POWs wounded. Both documents identify several names that were wounded with frostbitten/frozen feet while in captivity. Contained in a letter to a veteran: For wounds received in action on or about 17 December 1944, in the European Area. (Please note: In 1945, officials used the identical term for incurring wounds in captivity as they did in 2008 for POWs that died (or killed) in captivity). Article in a local newspaper: smg.photobucket.com/albums/v191/Robersabel/Purple%20Heart%20-%20Combat/?action=view¤t=PurpleHeartAVeterans02.jpgRobert |
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Post by robersabel on Mar 19, 2011 17:45:22 GMT -5
Floyd,
Click my screen name to view my email address. I would like to share an article describing the presentation of the Purple Heart to a WWII veteran earlier this month.
Robert
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Post by floydragsdale on Mar 20, 2011 17:47:45 GMT -5
Hello Robert:
I read the article! Good for Walter!
The Army informed me, a while back, that my WWII records were burned in the fire at St. Louis, MO years ago.
Therefore, for proof of my claim, the Army wants me to tell them what Hospitals I was in. Heck, at the time, I didn't care, or think, about that. The Hospital provided me a warm place to stay and I was being treated; that's what I was in the Hospital for.
During basic training the Army drilled into my head how important it was for an infantry soldier to take care of "his feet." Consequently, all the time I was on the front lines, when my feet got wet, if nothing else, I learned take my boots and socks off and let them freeze dry. Thus, I avoided getting trench foot. Nevertheless, my hands and feet were frost bitten, at least several times.
The VA is compensating me for a hearing loss do to "too much artillery and rifle fire". I had a forty or fifty year battle with the VA on that affair. That is anther frustrating story. While still in the service and complaining about severe head noise, the Army said. "Sorry, there is nothing we can do for you". Then in civilian life, when I took my problem to the VA they said, "Sorry, it isn't on your record; you don't qualify for assistance.
I'm tired of submitting claims and waiting months to learn that "your claim has been rejected because there is no evidence of proof your record."
Sometimes I think that whoever handles the claims look at it as so much paperwork and are not concerned about the person who filed it.
Floyd
424th
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Post by robersabel on Mar 21, 2011 11:27:52 GMT -5
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Post by connie on Apr 5, 2011 13:02:43 GMT -5
Robert,
In the flurry of activity on this question, my reply #6 may have been missed. So I'll paste it here:
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I just heard a brief note on the noon news that the army is changing its rules on the issuance of purple hearts and instituting an appeals process in an effort to correct a problem with qualified soldiers being denied the medal. I have no idea if this is just for contemporary soldiers or if it has elements that could be helpful to WWII wounded. Do you know anything about this, Robert?
Connie
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Post by robersabel on Apr 9, 2011 11:52:05 GMT -5
Connie,
>Do you know anything about this, Robert?
Interesting, but I am not aware of any changes. May I ask for your effort to seek additional information, and possibly the source?
Perhaps contacting the radio station to learn the answers?
Robert
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Post by connie on Apr 9, 2011 19:25:32 GMT -5
Robert,
It was a television station in the Seattle area... But unfortunately I did not make note of which station at the time.
This month is crazy. I don't think I'll find time for going through TV station sites to see if I can find this mentioned. But I will be aware and more proactive about taking source information if I hear anything else. And, when spare time permits I may see if I can do some more searching. Meanwhile, if you hear anything further on this let us know.
It's good to have someone on the board with eyes on this issue. Wish the world worked in a way that good causes never needed an advocate...
Connie
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Post by connie on Apr 10, 2011 0:39:33 GMT -5
Well... I did some initial searching. No luck with search engines on two television stations even though my post gave me a date to look for (around mar 18) But a general web search yielded some notes on a change that appears to be specifically aimed at purple hearts denied to present day military with concussion/ brain injuries. I haven't read it thoroughly, but skimming a bit it looked like it might have some wider repercussions. I don't know if there's anything here useful to a WWII vet, but I'll add a link so you can check it out: www.defenceiq.com/defence-technology/articles/us-army-plans-new-guidelines-to-resolve-denials-of/ |
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Post by robersabel on Apr 11, 2011 16:11:09 GMT -5
Connie, I believe you have identifed the wound(s) that caused the confliction. Included in the page: "To receive the Purple Heart, the Army’s current regulations require that a soldier be injured by enemy action" Records reveal a number of former Army POWs were repatriated and processed at the Army Service Forces, Army Ground and Service Forces Redistribution Station, Miami Beach Florida, and AG & SF Redistribution Station Ashville, North Carolina. Under the provisions of Army Regulations 600-45 a Purple Heart is awarded to Army personnel by Special Orders 108, dated 23 July 1945. A letter from the War Department, The Adjutant General’s Office, Washington, D.C., dated 10 November 1945 authorized (directs) the Purple Heart to a number of former POWs wounded. Both documents identify several names that were wounded with frostbitten/frozen feet while in captivity. Contained in a letter to a veteran: For wounds received in action on or about 17 December 1944, in the European Area. (Please note: In 1945, officials used the identical term for incurring wounds in captivity as they did in 2008 for POWs that died (or killed) in captivity). This reveals today's Army either is ignoring or misinterpreting guidelines. I located this. maineinsights.com/perma/pingree-urges-pentagon-to-ease-rules-for-awarding-purple-hearts/comment-page-1#comment-2476Robert |
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