RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-01258
COUNSEL: None
HEARING DESIRED: No
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) for wounds received during World
War II (WWII).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He rejected the Purple Heart at the time he was wounded.
In support of his request, he submits a copy of an honorable discharge
and signed statements from his aircrew members.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant enlisted into the Air Corps on 28 November 1942 and was
honorably separated on 25 September 1945 after completing 1 year, 9
months and 18 days of total active military service.
His WD AGO Fm 53-55 reflects he served in the following battles and
campaigns: Air Offensive Europe, Southern France, Northern Apennines,
Central Europe Po Valley, Rome-Arno. It also reflects the following
awards: European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Ribbon with six Bronze
Stars, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Good Conduct
Medal. He was stationed in Italy from 16 July 1944 to 27 July 1944.
The Purple Heart Medal is awarded for wounds received as a direct
result of enemy actions. In addition, it is necessary that the wound
required or received treatment by medical personnel, as well as
detailed personnel accounts of the circumstances surrounding the
injury to include specifics as to how the injury occurred, exact date
of injury, and unit of assignment. The applicant’s request contains
several eyewitness statements; however, the member has failed to
provide statements on his own behalf.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommended denial. There is no report of injury found in
his military medical records WD AGO Form 38, (Report of Physical
Examination of Enlisted Personnel Prior to Discharge, Release from
Active Duty or Retirement) in items 40-41. Portions of his service
medical records were provided as part of his VA medical records, and
there is no indication in his medical records of him having been
treated in Europe. Without the basic information and documentation
proving injury, we are unable to verify the applicant’s eligibility
for award of the Purple Heart Medal.
AFPC/DPPPR complete evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and stated he was
never in Graz Austria. He was a waist gunner and radio operator crew
member on a B-24 Liberator bomber. On their mission, we flew over
Graz Austria bombing military targets. Perhaps records were not kept
as accurately during War World II as they may be today. Therefore, as
proof, he did not fabricate this story, he sent letters from crew
members that were on the plane as to the fact he was wounded on that
mission. All these crew members are still living. At the time of his
treatment, medical personnel asked him if he wanted the Purple Heart
Medal and he turned it down. He was thinking about how much it would
worry his Mother. He now realizes his mistake. He was treated by
medical personnel on the airplane after they landed at a base near
Cerignola, Italy. He was hit in the right arm and right shoulder.
Applicant’s complete response 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate
the existence of error or injustice. In support of his contention, the
applicant provided credible evidence from several eyewitnesses. It
appears that while serving as a waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator
bomber, the applicant through direct exposure to the enemy’s heavy
pattern of exploding anti-aircraft fire was injured in the right arm
and shoulder after the aircraft was hit during a bombing run over
Graz, Austria. The Board believes that this clearly satisfies the
criteria for the Purple Heart since the applicant’s injury was
incurred as a direct result of enemy action. In view of the foregoing
and in recognition of his service to the Nation during a period of
national emergency and to preclude any possibility of an injustice to
the applicant, the Board recommends that he be awarded the Purple
Heart.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES 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 in a B-24 aircraft during a mission over Graz
Austria on 1 November 1944.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2004-01258 in Executive Session on 30 June 2004, under the provisions
of AFI 36-2603:
Ms. Brenda L. Romine, Panel Chair
Ms. Jean Reynolds, Member
Mr. Vance E. Lineberger, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 14 Apr 04, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 24 May 04.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 May 04.
Exhibit E. Applicant’s Response, undated.
BRENDA L. ROMINE
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2004-01258
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 in a B-24 aircraft during a mission over Graz
Austria on 1 November 1944.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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