HONOLULU—In a Feb. 29 obituary for Ben Chapman, The Associated Press described the one-time Hollywood actor as a decorated Korean War veteran. According to Chapman's family, he was awarded a Silver Star and Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts while serving with the Marines in Korea, medals in the family's possession. Chapman, 79, died Feb. 21 at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu.
The Silver Star and Bronze Star are medals for battlefield heroism, and the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in battle.
In response to a Marine Corps Times story questioning whether Chapman had been awarded the medals, the AP asked the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis for a complete list of Chapman's decorations. "A careful review of the Official Military Personnel Folder shows that Mr. Chapman was authorized the Korean Service Medal with One Star and the United Nations Service Medal," the center responded. These awards were given to soldiers who served in the wartime theater; a star was for participation in a campaign. No other awards were listed, the center said. Military officials declined further comment.
(This version CORRECTS newspaper name to Marine Corps Times.))
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