RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-03967
INDEX CODE: 107.00
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
Her spouse’s records be corrected to show he was awarded the Purple Heart
Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Before his death, her husband told her that he was awarded the Purple Heart
Medal while serving in Vietnam. She cannot locate any record of the award;
however, she would like to have the award listed on her husband’s
headstone.
In support of her application, the applicant provides a copy of the
decedent’s death certificate. The applicant’s complete submission, with
attachment, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The decedent enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 8 November 1963 at the
age of 22 for a period of four years in the grade of airman basic (E-1).
He was progressively promoted to the grade of airman first class (E-4)
effective and with a date of rank of 1 April 1966. The former member
served in Vietnam between the period 7 November 1966 and 24 October 1967.
He was released from active duty effective 25 October 1967 and transferred
to the Air Force Reserve for his military service obligation. He served 3
years, 11 months, and 18 days on active duty. He was honorably discharged
from the Air Force Reserve effective 7 November 1969. On 10 October 2003,
the Department of Veterans Affairs identified the former member’s death as
service related.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial. DPPPR states that the applicant has not
provided any information or documentation showing that the decedent was
injured or wounded as a result of enemy action. In addition, there is no
indication in the decedent’s records that he was wounded in action as a
direct result of enemy action, or that he was recommended for, or awarded,
the Purple Heart Medal. On 20 January 2004, DPPPR requested the applicant
provide a detailed account of the circumstances regarding her husband’s
injury and any eyewitness statements to support her request. The applicant
did not respond; therefore, DPPPR is unable to verify the decedent’s
eligibility for award of the Purple Heart Medal. The DPPPR evaluation is
at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant states she is not asking for her husband to be awarded the
Purple Heart Medal. She states her husband had indicated he was awarded
the Purple Heart Medal while in the service and it is not reflected in his
records. She would like his records corrected to reflect the award he
received. The applicant’s rebuttal is at Exhibit E.
_________________________________________________________________
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 an error or injustice. After a thorough review of the
available records, we found no evidence that the decedent is eligible for
the award of the Purple Heart Medal. The applicant’s contentions are duly
noted; however, she did not provide any documentary evidence to
substantiate her claim that the decedent was wounded in action as a direct
result of enemy action, or that he was recommended for, or awarded, the
Purple Heart Medal. The personal sacrifice the decedent endured for his
country is noted and the recommendation to deny the requested relief in no
way diminishes the high regard we have for his service. Nevertheless, in
view of the above, we find no basis to favorably consider 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 11 May 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. John L. Robuck, Panel Chair
Ms. Olga M. Crerar, Member
Ms. Martha J. Evans, Member
The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-03967
was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 Nov 03.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 8 Mar 04.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 Mar 04.
Exhibit E. Applicant’s Rebuttal, undated.
JOHN L. ROBUCK
Panel Chair
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