RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 00-00325
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His record be corrected to reflect the award of the Purple Heart, Air
Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with bronze star, and the
Republic of Korean War Service Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
On 16 July 1944, he suffered back injuries while parachuting out of
his stricken B17G bomber aircraft.
Applicant’s complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The available records reflect that the applicant entered the U.S. Army
Air Corps on 26 August 1943 and served until 2 December 1945. Records
indicate the applicant was in a Prisoner-Of-War status from 16 July
1944 to 13 May 1945. Applicant served as a navigator on the B-17
Flying Fortress in the European Theater of Operations. His medals,
when discharged, included the Air Medal, European Theater Operation
Ribbon, with three Battle Stars, American Defense Ribbon with one
Battle Star and Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The Chief, Recognition Programs Branch Promotion, Evaluation and
Recognition Division, AFPC/DPPPR, reviewed the applicant’s request and
recommended denial. There is no evidence in the applicant’s official
medical records that he had been injured as a direct result of enemy
action. Also, there is no document maintained in the member’s records
entitling him to additional Air Medals.
A complete copy of the evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to applicant on 15
December 2000 for review and response. As of this date, no response
has been received by this office.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing
law or regulations regarding his request for all awards, with the
exception of the Korean War Service Medal. We note that he may
request administrative relief by forwarding the appropriate paperwork
through the appropriate military channels as indicated by the office
of primary responsibility.
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 error or injustice warranting partial relief with
respect to the request for the Purple Heart. It appears that while
serving as a navigator on a B-17G Flying Fortress, the applicant was
forced to bail-out after the aircraft was hit during a bombing run
over Vienna, Austria. Apparently the applicant injured his back as a
result of the bail-out when he landed. The Board believes that this
clearly satisfies the criteria for the Purple Heart since the
applicant’s injury was incurred following a forced bail-out as a
direct result of enemy action. In view of the foregoing and in
recognition of his service to the Nation during a period of national
emergency and to preclude any possibility of an injustice to the
applicant, the Board recommends that he be awarded the Purple Heart.
4. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate
the existence of error or injustice warranting relief with respect to
the applicant’s remaining requests. After thoroughly reviewing the
evidence of record, we find insufficient evidence that he was entitled
to an additional Air Medal, nor has he submitted documentation to
substantiate his entitlement to a bronze star to the Asiatic-Pacific
Campaign Medal. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the
contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the
remaining relief sought in this application.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
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 he received in action against an enemy of
the United States in a B-17 aircraft during a mission over Vienna,
Austria on 16 July 1944.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered this application in
Executive Session on 8 February 2001, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Mr. Patrick R. Wheeler, Panel Chair
Mr. Roger E. Willmeth, Member
Mr. John E. Pettit, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 12 Nov 99, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Available Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 30 Nov 00, w/atch.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 15 Dec 00.
PATRICK R. WHEELER
Panel Chair
AFBCMR 00-00325
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:
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 he received in action against an enemy
of the United States in a B-17 aircraft during a mission over Vienna,
Austria on 16 July 1944.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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