RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 01-03083
INDEX CODE: 107.00
APPLICANT COUNSEL: None
SSN HEARING DESIRED: No
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He receive the Purple Heart (PH) for an injury he sustained during a
parachute jump over Munster, Germany on 10 October 1943.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
While on a flying combat mission, his aircraft was hit and damaged by
enemy fire forcing him and the crew to abandon the aircraft using
parachutes. He injured his back when he hit the ground.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant's military personnel records were destroyed by fire and only
limited information is available for review. The relevant facts
pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant's
available military records, are contained in the letter prepared by
the appropriate office of the Air Force.
_________________________________________________________________
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.
The applicant's request was forwarded to the Purple Heart Review Board
(PHRB) in December 2001. The PHRB determined the applicant
did not provide sufficient documentation to support being awarded the
PH. The applicant was forwarded the criteria required for award of
the PH. He was requested to provide additional information which
would substantiate his receiving the PH. The applicant did not
provide any additional documentation.
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:
The applicant submitted, via his Congressman, letters from former
military members in support his request for award of the Purple Heart
(Exhibit E).
_________________________________________________________________
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 error or injustice warranting the award of
the Purple Heart medal. After reviewing the supporting documentation
submitted, we are persuaded that the applicant did, in fact, meet the
criteria for the award of the Purple Heart for injuries sustained as a
direct result of enemy action. While on a flying combat mission, the
applicant's aircraft was hit and damaged by enemy fire causing him to
bail out of the aircraft and undoubtedly injuring his back when he
landed on the ground. The absence of any information in the existing
records pertaining to the treatment of his injury is not surprising in
view of his year and half absence from military control while he was
in Prisoner of War (POW) status. Additionally, we note the statements
from 2 former POWs indicating that the applicant suffered from back
pain while he was a POW. 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 that
his records be corrected as indicated below.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force
relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the
Purple Heart for injuries received in action against an enemy of the
United States during a mission over Munster, Germany on 10 October
1943.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 01-
03083 in Executive Session on 28 March 2002, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Richard A. Peterson, Panel Chair
Mr. Roscoe Hinton, Jr., Member
Mr. James E. Short, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, undated, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Available Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 4 Feb 02.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 Feb 02.
Exhibit E. Applicant's Response.
RICHARD A. PETERSON
Panel Chair
AFBCMR 01-03083
INDEX CODE: 107.00
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, SSN, be corrected to show that he was awarded the
Purple Heart for injuries received in action against an enemy of the
United States during a mission over Munster, Germany on 10 October 1943.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
The following is the only known information pertaining to the applicant's service and was extracted from the partially reconstructed record and from documents provided by the applicant. However, he would be thankful if the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council would consider awarding him the Air Medal for his combat duty over Europe in 1943 and to reconsider the Purple Heart request. We believe that his back injury sustained in June 1943 was due to the forced aircraft bail-out which...
AF | BCMR | CY2008 | BC-2007-01984
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-01984 INDEX CODE: 107.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect entitlement to the Purple Heart (PH). In accordance with Army Regulation (AR) 600-45, Decorations, dated 22 Sep 43, during the period in question, the PH was awarded for wounds received in...
The applicant’s request for the PH was staffed through the Purple Heart Review Board (PHRB). Although the applicant suffered injuries, there is no indication that he received treatment by medical personnel, or that his injuries were received as a direct result of enemy action. _________________________________________________________________ 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...
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.
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2003-04015
After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the statement from the former POW, the majority of the Board is not persuaded the applicant was wounded as a direct result of enemy action. The applicant is a former Army Air Corps B-17, Flying Fortress, navigator who seeks award of the Purple Heart (PH) for wounds received during a bombing mission over Berlin, Germany, on 20 February 1944. The majority of the panel finds insufficient evidence to demonstrate that he was injured...
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 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.). The applicant's former aircrew members have provided statements indicating that the applicant was wounded when their aircraft was hit by enemy flak and...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-02265
There is no evidence in his reconstructed limited military records to support he was injured as a direct result of enemy action. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Should he respond with evidence of...
AF | BCMR | CY2003 | BC-2002-04079
_________________________________________________________________ THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He should receive the PH for a wound he received as a direct result of enemy action on 25 March 1945. He did not refer to any medical treatment he might have received or provide any documentation showing that he did received any medical treatment for leg injuries incurred on 25 March 1943. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent...
AF | BCMR | CY2002 | BC-2002-03598
Applicant's complete submission is attached at Exhibit A. The applicant has not provided any official documentation showing that he was wounded or injured as a direct result of enemy action or that he received medical treatment at any time for such a wound or injury. While we are not unappreciative of the applicant’s service to the nation, without some medical evidence relating to treatment, evidence of scarring from a wound or injury which qualifies under the criteria for award of the...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2003-03948
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-03948 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His record be corrected to reflect the award of the Purple Heart (PH). To be awarded the Purple Heart (PH), a member must provide documentation to support that wounds were a direct result of enemy action and that the wounds required or received...