RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-03484
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS:
Award of the Purple Heart (PH) for injuries sustained during World War II.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) indicated his injuries to be
service-connected.
In support of his request, applicant submits a personal statement,
statements from the DVA, a former crewmember and his sister and extracts
from the 34th Bomb Group website. The applicant’s complete submission,
with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant's military personnel records were destroyed by fire in 1973.
The applicant’s Enlisted Record and Report of Separation reveals he entered
active duty service with the Army Air Corp on 12 January 1943. He
participated in the European African Middle Eastern Theater of Operation
(ETO) during the period 12 June 1944 through 27 February 1945. He was
awarded the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters and the European African
Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. His Enlisted Record and Report of
Separation reflects no wounds received in action. On 15 June 1945, he was
honorably discharged for the convenience of the government (Demobilization)
from the Army Air Corps. The applicant was serving in the grade of
technical sergeant (E-6) and had completed a total of 1 year, 6 months and
26 days of continental service and 9 months and 8 days of foreign service
at the time of discharge.
The Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) records, dated 30 September 2003,
reveal the applicant was granted service connection for right wrist fusion,
median nerve compression, donor site scar and status postoperative removal
of shrapnel pieces from right index finger. A combined evaluation of 50
percent was assigned from 22 May 2001, increased to 100 percent from 14
June 2003 and continued as 70 percent disabling from 1 September 2002.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied. The applicant provided
eyewitness statements, but not medical documentation showing he was wounded
during WWII; therefore, DPPPR is unable to verify his injury was from enemy
actions. The HQ AFPC/DPPPR evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to applicant on 23 April
2004 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of error or injustice. The Board was persuaded by the
applicant’s account of events resulting in his injuries and the statement
of support provided by a former crewmember regarding the circumstances of
the 15 October 1944 bombing mission. While applicant’s limited available
military records do not indicate he was treated for injuries sustained
during a bombing mission on 15 October 1944, we note that the records from
the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) substantiate that the applicant
did sustain injuries during World War II. Therefore, we believe that any
doubt should be resolved in favor of the applicant and recommend that his
records be corrected as indicated below.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating
to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Purple Heart for
injuries he received in action against an enemy of the United States during
a bombing mission over Cologne, Germany, on 15 October 1944.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive
Session on 27 May 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Gregory H. Petkoff, Panel Chair
Ms. Kathleen F. Graham, Member
Mr. Michael J. Novel, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following
documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number
BC-2003-03484.
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Oct 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's available Master Personnel Records and
DVA records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 19 Apr 04.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Apr 04.
GREGORY H. PETKOFF
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2003-03484
MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF
Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force
Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section
1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force
relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Purple
Heart for injuries he received in action against an enemy of the United
States during a bombing mission over Cologne, Germany, on 15 October 1944.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2003-03948
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-03948 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His record be corrected to reflect the award of the Purple Heart (PH). To be awarded the Purple Heart (PH), a member must provide documentation to support that wounds were a direct result of enemy action and that the wounds required or received...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2003-02306
On 15 Aug 03, HQ AFPC/DPPPRA informed the applicant that her late husband’s records contained no indication he was ever recommended for or awarded the SSM. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s submission, a majority of the Board is not persuaded that the late veteran should be awarded the SSM. MICHAEL K. GALLOGLY Panel Chair AFBCMR BC-2003-02306 MEMORANDUM FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS (AFBCMR) SUBJECT:...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-00857
Additionally, while flying several missions over Germany, under extremely cold weather conditions, he received residual cold injuries to his hands and feet (frostbite). After a thorough review of his submission and the supporting documentation he provided, to include the rating assessment from the Veterans Administration, these documents do not persuade us that he should be awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Novel, Panel Chair Mr. Terry L. Scott, Member Ms. Cheryl V. Jacobson, Member The...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2004-03486
DPPAT requested the applicant provide source documents showing that he was trained. Based on this eyewitness statement by an officer in the applicant’s chain of command, it is our opinion the applicant has provided sufficient evidence to show his injuries were sustained by actions of enemies of the United States and that it does meet the criteria for award of the Purple Heart Medal. NOVEL Panel Chair AFBCMR BC-2004-03486 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF Having received and considered the...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2004-03236
On 14 June 2004, HQ AFPC/DPPPRA indicated after a thorough review of the applicant’s records and documentation provided, there was not enough evidence to support the applicant’s claim that he was wounded as a direct result of enemy action and they provided him the criteria for the Purple Heart Medal. We have no reason to doubt the statement provided. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2003-00523
After reviewing this application and the evidence provided in support of the appeal, we are convinced that the applicant’s records should be corrected to show he was awarded the PH. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that, on 30 September 1945, he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds to his face due to...
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 01-03495 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NO HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal and Wound Chevron for his July 1944 service-connected wound and concussion in Normandy, France. After a thorough review of his submission and the supporting documentation he provided, to include a...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2002-00523
After reviewing this application and the evidence provided in support of the appeal, we are convinced that the applicant’s records should be corrected to show he was awarded the PH. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that, on 30 September 1945, he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds to his face due to...
AF | BCMR | CY2003 | BC-2003-02584
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. The applicant’s case was presented to the Purple Heart Review Board on 22 September 2003...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2003-02518
Due to flying deficiencies, he was relieved from further flying and entered bombardier school. He cannot show medical documentation because the Air Force has his medical records. We took notice of the applicant’s contention that he should be awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained while on bombing missions in Europe.