RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 01-01868
INDEX CODE: 107.00
APPLICANT COUNSEL: None
SSN HEARING DESIRED: No
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Purple Heart
(PH).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was wounded in 1945 after an aircraft accident in a bomb dump.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant served on active duty from 16 Sep 42 to 20 Nov 45 as a
firefighter.
On 2 Feb 45, the applicant was struck by a bomb fragment in his back,
during a bomb dump explosion. He was hospitalized for approximately
two to three weeks. Information from a hospital admission card
indicates that the injuries he sustained were consistent with a
puncture or stab wound. The point of entrance of the injury was the
abdominal wall, pelvis and back. The injury did not cause any nerve
or artery damage and his injuries were not received during battle.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR states there is no evidence in the applicant's record to
substantiate that the injury he received was a direct result of enemy
action.
DPPPR forwarded the applicant the criteria required for award of the
PH. They requested he provide additional information which would
substantiate his receiving the PH. The applicant did not respond to
their request.
Based on the information provided, DPPPR recommends denying the
applicant's request.
A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 5
Oct 01, 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.
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 probable error or injustice. We noted the
applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of his case;
however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force
and adopt their rationale as the basis for our decision that the
applicant has failed to provide persuasive evidence of an injury
meeting the criteria for award of the Purple Heart. Therefore, in the
absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling 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 probable 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 this application in
Executive Session on 14 February 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Mr. Roger E. Willmeth, Panel Chair
Ms. Nancy Wells Drury, Member
Mr. Albert J. Starnes, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 2 Jul 01, w/atch.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 24 Sep 01.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 5 Oct 01.
ROGER E. WILLMETH
Panel Chair
The applicant has not provided any documentation showing that he received medical treatment for either injury and there is no documentation in his medical file mentioning either of these injuries. Therefore, we conclude that any doubt should be resolved in this applicant’s favor and recommend he be awarded the PH for injuries sustained after bailing out of his B-24 bomber on 9 Feb 45. Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 31 Jul 02, w/atchs.
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