Posted By Robert E. Johnson on April 06, 2006 at 15:36:30:
I began my research several years, ago when I met a WWII, former POW of Stalag Luft III at Sagan, Germany. He invited me to speak during a monthly meeting at a Chapter of the Ex-Prisoners-of-War. I learned there was no set procedure of processing during repatriation of POW’s. All were not medically examined during the out-processing. Furthermore, there was no debriefing conducted for the mission prior to being taken captive.
Obviously, many military medical, and personnel records did not show wounds experienced before and/or during captivity. Please open the URL’s below.
Letter by General Spivey, dated 14 February 1946:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/Robersabel/Spivey%20Colonel/46969b08.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/Robersabel/Spivey%20Colonel/001245d5.jpg
Please note four statements regarding the problems with the recognition process during captivity, and at “Lucky Strike”:
1. Those of you have applied have not received any indication as to whether or not any action has been taken.
2. Work performed by the Board of Officers at Sagan, of which Colonel Jenkins was president, was lost.
3. Not heard of any action taken on the forms you filled out at “Lucky Strike”.
4. Recommendations which you have submitted, other than those you sent to the War Department or those you turned in at the Redistribution Station, have not been acted upon.
Last fall, I assisted the son of a deceased Master Sergeant, USAF, Retired process records for posthumously award Purple Heart, and POW medals. There was no mention of the wounds in his military records. A published book provided the description of wounds that justified awarding the Purple Heart medal!
The most recent request involved a deceased Major, USAFR, Retired wounded upon impact of a C-47 that crash landed caused from enemy ground fire in France, 7 June 1944. He also received wounds while taking part in the “Death March” from Stalag Luft III. His VA medical records, and VA Form 10-0048 reveals injuries to his knees, ankles, and wrench back in crash landing. It also shows rifle butt in the back, and frostbite during captivity. He was receiving 30% disability for back injuries from the VA.
The review board recommended denial of his request (DD Form 149) for award of the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during aircraft landing because there is no evidence in his military personnel records.
Due to problems identified by General Spivey, and the disregard of requiring medical examinations for all POW’s upon repatriation, many lack proof of wounds when applying for the Purple Heart.
It was not until February 10, 1996, Public Law 104 – 106 SEC 621 granted the award of the Purple Heart to persons wounded while held as prisoners of war before April 25, 1962. The law provided under section 101, of Title 10 U.S.C., that the Secretary shall treat a former prisoner of war who was wounded before April 25, 1962 while held a prisoner of war (or while being taken captive) in the same manner as a former prisoner of war who is wounded on or after that date while held as a prisoner of war (or while being taken captive.) The law established the standard of an award of the Purple Heart under subsection (a) shall be made in accordance with the standards in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act for the award of the Purple Heart to persons wounded on or after April 25, 1962. The law established the eligibility for the award for former prisoners of war as any person who is eligible for the prisoner-of-war medal under section 1128 of Title 10, U.S.C.
What about the untold number of records that were "lost or destroyed" in the fire at St. Louis during 1973? No doubt there were many that revealed wounds received while performing their last mission or during captivity. Who takes the responsibility? Obviously, the veterans have.
What is the solution to the current problem faced by a few remaining WWII former POW’s or their widows? Through no fault of their own for the loss or destruction of records, and lack of the military taking responsibility for not providing an affective repatriation process, should these veterans be deprived what was earned in accordance with current guidelines? I would appreciate your opinion.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Johnson