RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-02584
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS:
Award of the Purple Heart Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He suffered from frostbite on his face while on a bombing mission on 27
September 1945. He was listed as “WIA” (wounded in action) because of
hospitalization for treatment of the frostbite.
In support of his request, applicant submits copies of his military
records. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant was inducted into the Army Air Corps on 28 January 1943 and
entered active duty on 4 February 1943. He was progressively promoted to
the grade of staff sergeant.
Applicant’s military personnel records were damaged by fire at the National
Personnel Records Center in 1973.
The applicant’s Enlisted Record and Report of Separation reveals that he
participated in the Air Offensive Europe Campaign, with an overseas tour in
England from 9 June 1943 to 5 April 1944. He was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal
and the Distinguished Unit Citation. On 14 October 1945, the applicant was
honorably discharged from the Army Air Corps. He was serving in the grade
of staff sergeant (E-5) and had completed a total of one year, ten months
and three days of continental service and ten months and five days of
foreign service at the time of discharge.
In addition to the above decorations, the National Personnel Records Center
has verified the applicant’s entitlement to the following awards (forwarded
from the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command): Presidential
Unit Emblem, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, with one
bronze service star, World War II Victory Medal, Honorable Service Lapel
Button WWII and the Aviation Badge.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied. DPPPR states that the
applicant’s records should also reflect award of the American Campaign
Medal and the Distinguished Unit Citation, with two oak leaf clusters.
DPPPR indicates the applicant provided a page entitled “Operational Record”
that shows “27.09.43…WIA” (wounded in action). However, his Report of
Separation does not show that he received any wounds in action.
Applicant’s WWII medical records confirm that he suffered from frostbite on
his face on 27 September 1943 and was hospitalized until 30 September 1943.
The applicant’s case was presented to the Purple Heart Review Board on 22
September 2003 and disapproved for award of the Purple Heart Medal because
frostbite is not considered a direct result of enemy action. It is obvious
that the applicant suffered from frostbite on his face and received medical
treatment; however, the Purple Heart Medal is awarded for wounds or
injuries incurred as a result of enemy action. The HQ AFPC/DPPPR
evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to applicant on 3 October
2003 for review and response. As of this date, no response has been
received by this office (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 a review of the available evidence
of record and applicant’s submission, we are unpersuaded he should be
awarded the Purple Heart for frostbite on his face while on a bombing
mission during World War II. The Purple Heart is awarded for wounds or
injuries incurred as a direct result of enemy action. In this respect, we
note that frostbite is not considered a direct result of enemy action;
therefore, it does not meet the criteria for award of the Purple Heart.
The personal sacrifice the applicant endured for his country is noted and
our decision should in no way lessen his service; however, insufficient
evidence has been presented to warrant awarding him the Purple Heart. In
view of the above, 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 this application in Executive
Session on 19 November 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Thomas S. Markiewicz, Chair
Ms. Martha Maust, Member
Ms. Carolyn B. Willis, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR
Docket Number BC-2003-02584.
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 23 Jul 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 23 Sep 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Oct 03.
THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
Chair
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