RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 00-00616
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED
___________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal.
___________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
On 4 March 1943 while he was serving as a radio operator-gunner on a B-17
named "Stormy Weather," he was injured between the thighs by enemy gunfire
during a scheduled mission raid over Hamm, Germany. Even though his records
do not indicate that he received medical treatment for shrapnel wounds to
his leg, he is entitled to the Purple Heart Medal. He believes the
confusion caused by the numerous flyers that were badly wounded on the day
of the raid was the reason his treatment in the hospital was apparently not
recorded.
In support of the application, the applicant provides personal statements,
a copies of his discharge document and his enlisted duty record, and
excerpts from a periodical named Stormy Weather (Exhibit A).
___________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The majority of the applicant's records were lost or destroyed and efforts
at reconstruction have been unsuccessful. The following is extracted form
the applicant's limited available service records.
The applicant was inducted into the United States Army on 14 February 1942
and was thereafter ordered to active duty. He performed duty as a B-17 AAF
Radio Operator-Gunner and served in the European Theater of Operations from
21 October 1942 to 15 July 1943. He was honorably discharged in the grade
of technical sergeant on 7 December 1943 by reason of issuance of a
Certificate of Disability Discharge. He received the European Theater of
Operations Ribbon, the Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters and the
Distinguished Flying Cross.
___________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The Chief, Recognition Programs Branch, AFPC/DPPPR, indicates that while it
is reasonable to conclude that the applicant did experience a traumatic
period of time during the Hamm Raid, there is no medical evidence to
support his claim that he was wounded, therefore, DPPPR recommends the
applicant's request be denied.
A complete copy of the advisory is at Exhibit C.
___________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force Evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for
review and response. As of this date, this office has received no response
(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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of probable injustice. We are persuaded by the applicant's
assertions concerning his alleged injury and the articles he has provided
written by knowledgeable individuals concerning his aircraft's mission raid
over Hamm, Germany that it is possible he did sustain wounds as a direct
result of enemy fire while he was serving as a radio operator-gunner on a B-
17 aircraft on that mission raid during World War II. The absence of any
information pertaining to the asserted wounds from the existing records is
not surprising in view of the confusion that may have existed on the day of
the raid in treating many of those badly wounded. In view of the foregoing
and in recognition of his service to the nation, it is our opinion that any
doubt should be resolved in the applicant's favor. Therefore, we recommend
the records be corrected as indicated below.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS 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 Hamm, Germany, on 4 March 1943.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive
Session on 9 January 2001, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Joseph G. Diamond, Panel Chair
Mr. Roscoe Hinton, Jr., Member
Mr. Clarence D. Long, III, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following
documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 28 Feb 00 w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 6 Oct 00.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 20 Oct 00.
JOSEPH G. DIAMOND
Panel Chair
AFBCMR 00-00616
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 Hamm, Germany, on
4 March 1943.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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