can someone help with Purple heart medal?

2021-01-11T15:00:30-05:00

I'm trying to get a purple heart medal awarded to my father (posthumous), and keep running into snags. My father served in the 1st marines on Corregidor, was wounded (no real evidence), then captured. He survived as a prisoner of war in the Philippines, survived a hell ship being sent to japan, then survived as prisoner of war in Japan working as slave labor in a copper mine. He was injured in a mine cave in (nearly died), and then released after the bombings. I keep meeting with resistance from the Marine corps or navy. His records were destroyed in the fire in St. Louis, but have his original military certificate stating "wounded in action". Can someone give me direction?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 11 at 2021 3:59 PM

2021-01-11T15:59:32-05:00

What certificate do you have that states "wounded in action"?
It sounds like you're referring to Kinkaseki. The prisoners enslaved at Kinkaseki worked in the largest copper mine in the Japanese Empire from December 1942 to March 1945. There's a memorial there to all the POW's, so the names are publicly available. See if you can't find your dads name in the database. That will help .Behind the statue is a memorial wall that features the more than 4,000 names of all of the prisoners.

http://powtaiwan.org/

Never Forgotten :: The Story of the Taiwan POW Camps

The story of the Taiwan POW Camps and the men who were interned in them.

Response by PO3 Redmond Ramos made Jan 11 at 2021 4:01 PM

2021-01-11T16:01:37-05:00

First of all, Sgt.
Thank you and your family for your service to our country.
Your father sounds like he was an incredible man.

Please see this link as it has a lot of great information.
https://www.americanwarlibrary.com/theheart.htm

"Myth number 8. The PH cannot be awarded posthumously or after discharge from military service.
Not true. The majority of (but not necessarily all) combat deaths are automatically awarded the PH. Enemy or FF injured/wounded veterans who did not receive the PH prior to their discharge may, if eligible, successfully petition their service department's Awards Branch for post-service award to a discharged veteran. The Military Records Center can only issue authorization for awards that were negligently not recorded on the Report of Separation, or those awards "automatically" authorized by 'class-action' to a specified classification of personnel via Executive Order (such as the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal(s), etc."

Hopefully that helps.

Common Myths About The Purple Heart Medal

Common Myths About The Purple Heart Medal(This Information Site is Continually Updated.)Click here for the official Purple Heart Issue Regulations

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Apr 10 at 2022 2:41 PM

2022-04-10T14:41:44-04:00

Call MILITARY AWARDS BRANCH AT HQMC ON [login to see] /43. Explain your situation and go from there. They are normally very helpful.