RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-00244
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He injured his left leg and back on 24 May 1969 while attempting to
land a badly damaged AC-130 gunship aircraft. Immediately after the
airplane crashed landed, he was ordered by the Wing Commander to
complete a report so his wounds were not immediately treated. He
states that the eight members of his crew who bailed out of the
aircraft, and two members who lost their lives, were awarded the PH
immediately following the mission. It is impossible for him to prove
that he received medical attention for his wounds because the medical
facility at the Ubon Royal Thailand Air Base was a dispensary and not
a hospital.
In support of his request, applicant submits a personal statement, two
copies of his Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) disability award, a
copy of the 13th Air Force well done award, a copy of excerpts of the
24 May 1969 mission, “Apollo’s Warriors - United States AF Special
Operation during the Cold War”, a copy of his personal account of his
tour in South East Asia, and a copy of his Distinguished Flying Cross
citation.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant’s military personnel records reflect that the applicant
served on active duty as a commissioned officer from 15 September 1950
through 30 June 1972 and retired in the grade of Colonel. He served
in Thailand from 29 October 1968 through 29 October 1969. His report
of separation reflects award of the Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying
Cross with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters,
Combat Readiness Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed
Forces Expeditionary Medal with (2BSS), National Defense Service Medal
with (1BSS), Vietnam Service Medal with (1BSS), Armed Forces Reserve
Medal and the Korean Service Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommended the applicant's request be denied. His
original application was returned without action and a copy of the PH
criteria sheet, informing him that he had not provided sufficient
documentation or information to process his application. He has only
provided documentation showing that the DVA awarded him 60% disability
for his back problems. Since the applicant did not provide sufficient
documentation or information to substantiate his claim, his case was
not presented to the Purple Heart Review Board.
The DPPPR evaluation, with attachments, is attached at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on
16 May 2003 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date,
no response has been received by this office.
_________________________________________________________________
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 a thorough review of the
applicant’s submission and the available evidence of record, we are
not persuaded that he should be awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
Should the applicant secure documentation in support of his assertion
in the form of statements of possible witnesses to the events under
review; or, evidence from his medical records or from the Veterans
Administration indicating the presence of wounds or scars, which could
have been the result of injuries he indicates he suffered, the Board
would reconsider his application. While we are not unmindful or
unappreciative of the applicant’s service to the nation, in the
absence of evidence to support that he was wounded as a result of
enemy action, we agree with the opinion of the Air Force and find no
compelling basis to warrant favorable consideration of this
application.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of an 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 no considered with this
application.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2003-
00244 in Executive Session on 1 July 2003, under the provisions of AFI
36-2603:
Ms. Brenda L. Romine, Panel Chair
Ms. Marilyn Thomas, Member
Mr. Grover L. Dunn, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 25 Mar 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 7 May 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 May 03.
BRENDA L. ROMINE
Panel Chair
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