 In 1990 the Church of Scientology released a document , said to be a copy of Hubbard 's official record of service , to support its assertion that Hubbard had been awarded 21 medals and decorations . The Church asserts that Hubbard was awarded a " Unit Citation which is only awarded by the President to combat units that perform particularly meritorious service . " Among the other awards listed on the record released by the Church is the British Victory Medal , an award issued for service in the British armed forces in the First World War and that was never awarded by itself . The Church 's document also credits Hubbard with a Purple Heart with a Palm , implying two wounds received in action . However , the U.S. Navy uses gold and silver stars , not a palm , to indicate multiple wounds . The Church has distributed a photograph of medals said to have been won by Hubbard ; two of the medals were not even created until after Hubbard left active service . 
