RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-02774
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: YES
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was wounded on 27 August 1944, while flying a mission over Germany.
He was injured by flak and was treated by the flight surgeon. He was
scheduled to return home the following day and elected not to pursue a
PH Medal. He requests his record be corrected to reflect the PH that
he should have received nearly 60 years ago.
In support of his request, applicant submits a copy of his DD Form
214, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Honorable Discharge, a
personal statement, a notarized statement from a crewmember, and a
statement from his doctor.
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 from 3 April 1941 to 31 October 1963 with an
overseas tour in the European Theater from 11 April 1944 to
10 September 1944. He retired in the grade of major after serving 22
years, 6 months and 21 days of total service.
Item 30 of his Report of Separation, Wounds Received in Action,
reflects “None”.
His report of separation reflects award of the Air Medal with four
bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Distinguished
Unit Badge with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, European-African-Middle
Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver service star, and the Victory
Medal.
On 3 October 2003, his case was presented to the Purple Heart Review
Board and his request for award of the PH Medal, was disapproved on 15
October 2003.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommended the applicant's request be denied. The
applicant has not provided any documentation showing he was wounded or
injured as a result of enemy action during World War II. In item 17
of the DD Form 149, the applicant stated that the 98th Bomb Group
Flight Surgeon treated him, but since he was scheduled to go home the
next day, he elected not to pursue a PH. However, his records show
that during 26 August to 6 September 1944, the applicant flew three
combat flight missions, and did not depart for the United States until
10 September 1944. Since the applicant has not provided sufficient
information or documentation to substantiate his claim, his
eligibility for the PH cannot be verified.
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
24 Oct 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. We
noted the statement from the pilot. However, there was no evidence
presented which would lead us to believe that the applicant was
medically treated for any wounds incurred as a direct result of enemy
fire. We are not unmindful or unappreciative of his service to his
Nation. However, without persuasive evidence that he was wounded as a
direct result of enemy action and received medical treament for that
wound at that time, we find no compelling basis to warrant favorable
consideration of his 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-
02774 in Executive Session on 10 December 2003, under the provisions
of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Thomas S. Markiewicz, Panel Chair
Ms. Kathleen F. Graham, Member
Mr. J. Dean Yount, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 14 August 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 20 Oct 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 Oct 03.
THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
Chair
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