RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 02-02151
COUNSEL: MARY NEWMAN
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
Her late husband’s records be corrected to show that he was awarded the
Purple Heart (PH).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Her husband was awarded the PH during his 57 combat missions as a turret
gunner during World War II.
The applicant states that she has the piece of shrapnel that was taken from
her husband’s abdomen after his aircraft was badly damaged after a bomb
run. During his life, he was plagued with gastrointestinal problems and
numerous surgeries, the last of which was for removal of his colon due to
colon cancer. He fought with distinction, valor and honor for his country
and suffered the consequences of his service to his country for his entire
life. He was proud of his service and never once applied for any
assistance through the Veterans Administration.
In support of the appeal, applicant submits extracts from the former
servicemember’s military service records and her personal statement.
The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The former servicemember served on active duty in the Army Air Corps from
21 July 1943 to 8 October 1945, as a B-26 top turret gunner.
A Clinical Record Brief, dated 29 April 1943, indicates that on 20 April
1943, he received a mild lacerated wound on his right wrist when a
propeller broke off during flight at the Avon Park Bombing Range and flew
through the fuselage striking his wrist. His laceration was sutured and
his injury found to be in the line of duty.
On 20 August 2002, the former servicemember’s records were administratively
corrected to reflect award of the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
Medal, with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and the World War II Victory
Medal.
The PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy actions
(i.e., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat wounds, forced
aircraft bail out injuries, etc.). In addition, it is necessary that the
wound have required or received treatment by medical personnel. Indirect
injuries do not meet the criteria for award of the PH.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The Chief, Awards and Decorations Section, AFPC/DPPPR, reviewed the
application and states, in part, that there is no evidence in the former
sericemember’s records that supports that he was injured as a direct result
of enemy action; therefore, he is not entitled to the Purple Heart (PH).
A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant
on 27 September 2002, for review and response within 30 days. However, as
of this date, this office has received no response.
_________________________________________________________________
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 error or injustice. After thoroughly reviewing the evidence
of record and noting the applicant’s contentions, we are not persuaded that
the former servicemember was injured as a direct result of enemy action.
To the contrary, the incident referenced by the applicant in support of her
request occurred in Florida at the Avon Park Bombing Range and was the
result of an accident, rather than the direct result of enemy action. The
personal sacrifice the former servicemember endured for his country is
noted and our decision should in no way diminish the high regard we have
for his service; however, insufficient documentary evidence has been
presented to warrant awarding him 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 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 Docket Number 02-02151 in
Executive Session on 7 January 2003 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Ms. Peggy E. Gordon, Panel Chair
Mr. Billy C. Baxter, Member
Ms. Diane Arnold, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 3 Apr 02, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 23 Sep 02.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Sep 02.
PEGGY E. GORDON
Panel Chair
A 16 November 1943, medical record entry indicates that the applicant was treated for an infected forehead wound when he was cut by coral while swimming at Moresby beach on 11 November 1943. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that to be awarded the PH, a member must provide documentation to support that he was wounded as a direct result of enemy action that must have...
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-00644 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Purple Heart (PH) Medal. There is no evidence in his records of a recommendation for award of the DFC. Military Personnel Record Exhibit C. Letter,...
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