RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 02-02702
COUNSEL: AMERICAN LEGION
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH).
_________________________________________________________________
THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
During 1965 - 1966, he was at Bametout, Vietnam and bitten on the right
upper thigh by hostile dogs controlled by hostile forces.
In support of the appeal, the applicant submits a statement from a civilian
physician indicating that the six scars on his right calf, knee, and thigh,
are possible representative of trauma sustained from remote dog bites and
the physical features may correlate with his history of a dog attack
sustained while on active duty, and personal statements from his spouse.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant enlisted in the Air Force on 21 February 1961, for a period
of four years. He was progressively promoted to the grade of technical
sergeant (E-6).
From 6 November 1965 through 15 October 1966, he was assigned to Detachment
9, 619th Tactical Control Squadron, as an Electrical Power Production
Specialist.
On 31 March 1983, he was relieved from active duty and on 1 April 1983,
retired for length of service in the grade of E-6. He completed 22 years,
1 month, and 10 days of active service.
The PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy action
(i.e., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat wounds, forced
aircraft bail out injuries, etc.) that required or received treatment by
medical personnel.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that
there is no evidence in the applicant’s medical or personnel records, which
proves he was injured as a direct result of enemy action. His injuries
were the result of dog bites, and do not meet the criteria of the PH.
The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant states, in essence, that since his records are not able to be
found and support his claim, his statement should be given the benefit of
the doubt and he be awarded the PH.
The applicant’s complete responses, with attachments, are at Exhibits E
through G.
_________________________________________________________________
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
he has been the victim of an error or injustice. The personal sacrifice
the applicant endured for his country is noted and our decision in no way
diminishes 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 02-02702 in
Executive Session on 10 March 2003 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. David W. Mulgrew, Panel Chair
Mr. Laurence M. Groner, Member
Mr. Mike Novel, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 Jul 02, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 7 Oct 02.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Oct 02.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 11 Nov 02, w/atch.
Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, dated 28 Nov 02, w/atchs.
Exhibit G. Letter, Applicant, dated 28 Nov 02.
DAVID W. MULGREW
Panel Chair
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