RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-03018
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was wounded and never received the PH Medal.
In support of his request, applicant submits a handwritten statement
from a former crewmember and a copy of Form 55, Clinical Record Brief.
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 13 March 1943 to 31 August 1945. He served
an overseas tour in the Pacific from 4 June 1944 to 1 December 1944.
On 13 July 1944, he was injured in an aircraft accident, when the
bomber he was in crashed during takeoff in China. He sustained a
fractured left forearm and severe burns on his right hand, left leg
and left side of his face. His report of separation (item 34),
reflect no wounds received in action. His decorations include award
of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon, a Bronze Battle Star, and a
Good Conduct Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial. The applicant has not provided any
documentation to show he was injured as a direct result of enemy
action as required by the criteria. He was in China, his aircraft
crashed on takeoff, and he was injured in the accident.
Since the enemy played no part in the aircraft accident, the applicant
is not eligible for award of the Purple Heart Medal.
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 Jan 03 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. The
applicant appears to be asking for the PH as the result of being
injured in an aircraft accident. We cannot recommend awarding the PH
on this basis. Award of the PH to crewmembers involved in aircraft
mishaps still requires the wounds/injuries to have been the direct
result of enemy action and necessitated medical treatment. The
available documentation does not confirm the applicant was wounded and
received medical treatment for injuries sustained as a direct result
of enemy action. 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-
03018 in Executive Session on 2 March 2004, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Roscoe Hinton, Jr., Panel Chair
Ms. Martha A. Maust, Member
Ms. Carolyn B. Willis, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 July 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 15 Jan 04.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Jan 04.
ROSCOE HINTON JR.
Panel Chair
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