RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 03-02440
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Over the years he did not get around to correcting his record since he was
too busy putting his civilian life back together. He now requires the
services of the Veterans Administration due to the rising costs of his
medication and hearing aids, which his medical insurance does not cover.
He was a member of the ---th Bomber Group and is only one of three of an
entire crew of thirty-three that came back from a mission.
In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal statement and a
copy of his war diary.
The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_______________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant’s records were lost or destroyed and efforts at
reconstruction have been, for the most part, unsuccessful. The following
is the only known information pertaining to the applicant's service and was
extracted from the partially reconstructed record and from documents
provided by the applicant.
The applicant enlisted in the Army of the United States Air Corps on 28
October 1940 and served as an aerial photographer. The applicant was
honorably discharged in the grade of technical sergeant on 26 September
1945, for the Convenience of the Government (Demobilization). He was
credited with 3 years, 11 months and 8 days of continental service and 11
months and 21 days of foreign service. His discharge document shows he
participated in the Air Offensive Europe, Normandy and Northern and
Southern France campaigns. He was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak
Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Unit Badge, European-African-Middle Eastern
Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the American Defense Service
Medal.
On 22 August 2002, after a review of his available military personnel
record, the Recognition Programs Branch, determined the applicant was
entitled to the following medals: American Campaign Medal and the WWII
Victory Medal.
________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied. DPPPR states that the
applicant has not provided any official documentation to substantiate his
claim that he was wounded or received medical treatment on 2 June and on 12
June 1944. Without any military personnel or military service medical
files available for review, DPPPR is unable to verify the applicant’s
eligibility for the Purple Heart Medal. The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation, with
attachments, is at Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 29 August 2003, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was sent to the
applicant for review and comment. 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. The applicant contends that he should be
awarded the Purple Heart for injuries suffered during his missions over
France. After a thorough review of his submission and the supporting
documentation he provided, to include the applicant’s detailed account of
events in his “War Diary,” we are not persuaded that he should be awarded
the Purple Heart Medal. However, should the applicant provide an actual
copy of his War Diary, rather than a transcript, and any other supporting
documentation detailing his missions, including information from
independent sources concerning his alleged injuries, we would be willing to
again review this case. In the absence of such evidence, we agree with the
opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary
responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion
that the applicant has not provided any official documentation
substantiating his claim that he was wounded or received medical treatment
for his injuries. While we appreciate and honor the applicant’s service to
his country, in view of the above and absent persuasive evidence showing
his records are in error or unjust, the applicant’s request cannot be
favorably considered.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate
the existence of probable 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 this application in Executive
Session on 9 October 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Gregory H. Petkoff, Panel Chair
Ms. Dorothy P. Loeb, Member
Mr. James A. Wolffe, Member
The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number 02-03474 was
considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 17 Jul 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 21 Aug 03 w/atchs.
Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Aug 03.
GREGORY H. PETKOFF
Panel Chair
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