RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02039 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart 
(PH). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

On 23 Jun 71, he was injured by grenade shrapnel at Phan Rang Air 
Base, Republic of Vietnam. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of a 
Standard Form 600, Chronological Record of Medical Care; an AF 
Form 348, Line of Duty Determination; Standard Form 565-5, Clinical Record Cover Sheet, and a letter from his Veterans 
Service Officer. 

 

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant served on active duty from 30 Oct 51 to 30 Jun 73. 

 

The applicant was injured by grenade shrapnel thrown by persons 
unknown. A line of duty determination found his injury to be in 
the line of duty. 

 

The PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy 
actions (e.g. gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat 
wounds, forced aircraft bailout injuries, etc.) In addition, it 
is necessary that the wound required or received treatment by 
medical personnel. Indirect injuries do not meet the criteria 
for award of the PH. These include, but are not limited to, 
injuries received while seeking shelter from mortar attacks, 
aircraft bombings, grenades, and injuries incurred while serving 
as an aircraft member in a passenger status as a result of the 
aircraft’s evasive measures against hostile fire or Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

 

 

 


 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the evaluation prepared by the appropriate office of 
the Air Force found at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial. DPSIDRA states there is no 
official documentation substantiating the applicant’s injuries 
were caused by direct enemy action. 

 

Although the applicant has provided medical documentation 
verifying that he received shrapnel wounds due to two grenades 
exploding at a squadron party on 23 Jun 71, the Line of Duty 
Determination, dated 23 Jun 71, states it is not known who caused 
the grenades to go off. There is no documentation in his record 
that would substantiate Phan Rang Air Base was under attack by an 
armed enemy at approximately 2300 hours on 23 Jun 71. 

 

The complete DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 22 Jul 11, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to 
the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a 
response has not been received (Exhibit D). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 

 

1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing 
law or regulations. 

 

2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the 
interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 

 

3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. After 
thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and the applicant’s 
contentions, we are not persuaded the requested relief should be 
granted. In weighing the evidence, we could not determine his 
injuries were the direct result of enemy action. The applicant’s 
personal sacrifice and unselfish service to his country is noted 
and our decision in no way lessens our regard for his service; 
however, without documentation to substantiate his injury was the 
direct result of enemy action, we are unable to recommend 
granting his request for the Purple Heart. Therefore, in the 
absence of evidence to the contrary, we agree with the opinion of 


the Air Force office of primary responsibility and find no basis 
to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that 
the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 
that the application will only be reconsidered upon the 
submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered 
with this application. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 
BC-2011-02039 in Executive Session on 5 Jan 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 23 Jun 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 6 Jul 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Jul 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Chair