RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 02-02735
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart, with the First Oak Leaf Cluster (PH, 1
OLC).
_________________________________________________________________
THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He should be awarded the PH, 1 OLC, for injuries he sustained on the
Okinawa landing.
The applicant states that on 1 April 1945, the landing craft he was in was
veering sharply to avoid Japanese shelling during a landing on Okinawa.
When they hit the beach the boat tipped sharply to the right and boxes of
ammunition were tipped and landed on his foot. He went ashore with his
unit; however, five days later, he was unable to walk. When he was
examined by the medics, he was told that had he not been treated, gangrene
would have set in and he would have lost his foot. While still in the
hospital, an officer gave him an Oak Leaf Cluster saying it was to be
attached to the PH ribbon that he already had. He was later evacuated to a
hospital at Guam on a hospital ship, the USS Comfort.
In support of the appeal, the applicant submits letters from his
Congressmen and a copy of the USS Comfort Log Book (1 April 1945 through 30
April 1945) which lists him as a passenger and the injury (fractured left
great toe) sustained on the Okinawa landing.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973 at the National
Personnel Records Center (NPRC); therefore, the following information is
obtained from the documentation provided by applicant.
The applicant enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 2 April 1943 and was
progressively promoted to the grade of corporal.
During the period 12 April 1944 through 13 November 1945, he served in the
Pacific Theater of Operations. He participated in the Luzpn, New Guinea,
Southern Philippines, and Ryukyus Campaigns.
On 27 April 1945, he was awarded the Purple Heart (PH) for wounds received
in action on 13 January 1945, during the Leyte Island Operation.
He was honorably discharged on 17 December 1945. He completed 2 years, 8
months and 22 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 the applicant has not provided any documentation to substantiate his
claim that he was wounded as a direct result of enemy action. His injury
on 1 April 1945 (i.e., fractured toe when an ammunition box fell during a
landing operation), does not constitute an injury incurred as a direct
result of enemy action; therefore, he is not eligible for another award of
the PH.
The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit B.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant states that his injury was caused by enemy fire. The landing
craft was taking evasive action to avoid Japanese shelling and the boat hit
the beach at a sharp angle. Since the landing craft was not damaged by the
shelling, he was the only one in the boat affected by the landing.
The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit D.
_________________________________________________________________
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 02-02735 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 26 Mar 02, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 21 Oct 02, w/atchs.
Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Nov 02.
Exhibit D. Letter, Applicant, dated 8 Nov 02.
DAVID W. MULGREW
Panel Chair
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