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AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
FEB J 2 1999
IN THE MATTER OF:
DOCKET NUMBER: 98-01321
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
I
EOUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) .
He should be awarded the PH based on wounds he received when his
aircraft was hit by enemy flak while on a bombing mission to
Berlin, Germany, during World War 11.
The applicant states there were two reasons why he did not go the
base hospital. The .first, he was a 19 year old seasoned combat
veteran who was pretty tough.
Second, one of the squadron
crewman incurred a serious leg wound or had his leg blown off and
bled to death before returning to base. He knows he would have
been awarded the PH posthumously and did not feel at that time,
that he should be awarded the same medal for a much lesser wound.
In support of the appeal, applicant submits statements from
former crew members indicating the applicant was wounded by
plexiglass shreds when enemy flax hit the nose of their B-17.
The applicant's complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.
On 3 February 1945, while serving as an aircrew member aboard a
B-17, on a bombing mission over Berlin, Germany, the applicant's
aircraft was hit by enemy flak.
On 6 July 1998, a similar request was considered by the Purple
Heart Review Board (PHRB); however, the PHRB determined there
were no medical documents supporting his claim, and denied his
request.
The PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy
actions (Le., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat
wounds, forced aircraft bail out injuries, etc.). A recent
change now extends the eligibility for award of the PH to former
prisoners of war (POW) that were held prior to 25 April 1962 and
suffered wounds or injuries at the hands of their captors. In
addition, it is necessary that the wound have 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 or rocket attacks, aircraft bombings, grenades, and
injuries incurred while serving as an aircrew member or in a
passenger status as a result of the aircraft's evasive measures
against hostile fire.
The Recognitions Programs Branch, AFPC/DPPPRA, reviewed this
application and states that to be awarded the PH, a member must
provide documentation to support that he was wounded as a direct
result of enemy action and must have received medical treatment
by medical personnel. Therefore, they recommend denial of the
applicant's request.
A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at
Exhibit C.
TIS REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVuUAT'fON:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was provided to the applicant
on 20 July 1998 for review and response within 30 days. The
applicant was provided an extension of time up to, and including
30 October 1998; however, as of this date, no response has been
received by this office.
The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing
THE BOARD CONCTlUDES THAT:
1.
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 . Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to
demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice. A
majority of the Board is persuaded that the applicant should be
awarded the PH. A similar request was considered and denied by
the PHRB on the basis that there was no medical documents
supporting the applicant's claim. The applicant's former aircrew
members have provided statements indicating that the applicant
was wounded when their aircraft was hit by enemy flak and that
they provided the applicant medical treatment. A majority of the
Board notes that although the applicant did not receive medical
treatment from medical personnel, he did receive treatment from
2
fellow aircrew member's who were trained in emergency first aid
procedures. In view of this, a majority of the Board believes
the applicant has fulfilled the requirement to provide
documentation that his wounds received medical treatment.
Therefore, a majority of the Board recommends the applicant be
awarded the PH.
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was awarded
the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during a bombing mission
over Berlin, Germany on 3 February 1945.
The following members of the Board considered this application in
Executive Session on 17 December 1998, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Vaughn E. Schlunz, Panel Chair
Mr. Edward C. Koenig, 111, Member
Mr. Kenneth L. Reinertson, Member
Mr. Phillip E. Horton, Examiner (without vote)
By a majority vote, the Board recommended the applicant's records
be corrected, as recommended. Mr. Koenig voted to deny the
application and has submitted a minority report which is attached
at Exhibit F. The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A.
Exhibit B.
Exhibit C.
Exhibit D.
Exhibit E.
Exhibit F. Minority Report.
DD Form 149, dated 18 Mar 98, w/atchs.
Applicantis Master Personnel Records.
Letter, AFPC/DPPPRA, dated 8 Jul 98.
Letter, AFBCMR, dated 20 Jul 98.
Letter, Applicant, dated 6 Aug 98.
dd.:&
Panel Chair
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3
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON, D. C.
PEB I2 1999
*
.,
I
t
Office of the Assistant Secretary
AFBCMR 98-0 132 1
MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF
Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for
Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States
Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:
tary records of the Department of the Air Force relating t
e corrected to show that he was awarded the Purple Hew-
mission over Berlin, Germany on 3 February 1945.
V Air Force Review Boards Agency
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