RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-01796
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: JOHN M. KENNEDY
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
On 28 Sep 44, he was forced to bail out of a crippled B-17 aircraft,
breaking his ankle when he landed.
In support of his appeal, the applicant provided copies of his
separation document and medical examination.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant enlisted in the Army of the United States (Air Corps) on 27
Oct 1942.
Available documentation provided by counsel indicates that on 3 Oct
44, the applicant fractured his right ankle during a forced
parachuting from a plane over France.
Applicant was honorably discharged on 11 Jun 45 under the provisions
of AR 615-365 (Convenience of the Government). He was credited with 2
years, 7 months, and 15 days of active service, of which 9 months and
28 days were foreign service.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommended denial indicating the applicant did not provide
sufficient documentation to support his claim.
A complete copy of the AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
By letter, dated 25 Oct 04 (sic), the applicant’s counsel provided
additional documentary evidence for the Board’s consideration, which
is attached 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. After a thorough review of the
evidence presented, we are persuaded that corrective action is
warranted. In this respect, we note the Purple Heart Medal is awarded
for wounds received as a direct result of enemy actions (e.g., gunshot
or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand wounds, forced aircraft bail-out
injuries, etc.). We believe the applicant has provided sufficient
documentation to support his assertion he was injured after he was
forced to bail out of a plane over France in 1944. Accordingly, we
recommend his records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple
Heart Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show he was awarded the Purple
Heart Medal for injuries he received during a forced parachuting from
a plane over France on 3 Oct 44.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2004-01796 in Executive Session on 22 Sep 04, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Robert S. Boyd, Panel Chair
Ms. Martha J. Evans, Member
Mr. Alan A. Blomgren, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 2 Jun 04, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 28 Jul 04.
Exhibit D. Letters, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Aug 04.
Exhibit E. Letter, in applicant’s behalf, dated 25 Oct 04
(sic), w/atch.
ROBERT S. BOYD
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2004-01796
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 , be corrected to show he was awarded the Purple
Heart Medal for injuries he received during a forced parachuting from
a plane over France on 3 Oct 44.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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