ADDENDUM TO
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-1999-01607
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) for a wound received on 7 June 1944.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 19 December 2002, the Board considered applicant’s request that he be
awarded the PH. The Board found insufficient of an error or injustice and
denied the application. For an accounting of the facts and circumstances
surrounding the application, and the rationale of the earlier decision by
the Board, see the Record of Proceedings at Exhibit E.
In a letter, dated 28 August 2003, the applicant requests reconsideration
of his request for award of the PH and provides additional documentation.
The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit F.
In further support of the applicant’s appeal, the former President of the
Veterans of the Office of Strategic Studies (OSS), has provided a letter,
dated 12 October 2003 (Exhibit G).
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of error or injustice. In this respect, we note that the
applicant contends that during a top-secret mission in Normandy, France, he
sustained a blow to the head with the blunt end of a butcher’s ax by a
German agent. He further contends that due to the highly classified nature
of the mission and the likelihood that his need for medical treatment could
greatly compromise the mission, he was treated by a corpsman and did not
seek any further medical treatment. In support of his appeal, the
applicant submits a statement from his current physician indicating that
his wounds correlate with his details regarding the incident. The evidence
of record indicates that during his 18 December 1962 retirement physical
his head, face, neck and scalp were abnormal. In addition, the former
President OSS has provided a statement indicating that the secrecy and
classified nature of the mission did not allow the incident to be properly
recorded. In view of this, we find the applicant has established a
reasonable doubt that his injury was the direct result of enemy action.
Based on the totality of the evidence presented, we believe the interest of
justice can best be served by resolving the benefit of the doubt in favor
of the applicant. Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the
extent 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
an injury he received in action against an enemy of the United States
during a mission in Normandy, France, on 7 June 1944.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-1999-01607
in Executive Session on 14 October 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Mr. Richard A. Peterson, Panel Chair
Mr. David C. Van Gasbeck, Member
Ms. Patricia D. Vestal, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following
documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit E. Record of Proceedings, dated 19 Jan 00, w/atchs.
Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, dated 28 Aug 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit G. Letter, Mr. Jones, dated 12 Oct 03, w/atch.
RICHARD A. PETERSON
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-1999-01607
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 an injury he received in action against an enemy of the United
States during a mission in Normandy, France, on 7 June 1944.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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