RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-02609
INDEX CODE: 107.00
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His eardrums were ruptured after a rocket and mortar attack in 1969.
He went to the MASH station, they put medicated cotton in his ears and
he went back to duty. The paperwork must have gotten lost.
In support of his request, applicant submits a Department of Veterans
Affairs memorandum, Hearing Connection Audiologic Evaluation, two
witness statements and a personal statement.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant’s military personnel records reflect that he served on
active duty from 7 December 1949 to 6 December 1953. He reenlisted on
30 December 1953 and served until he was placed on the Temporary
Disability Retired List (TDRL) on 19 December 1969. On 16 July 1971,
he was removed from the TDRL and retired in the grade of master
sergeant. His AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, indicates he was
assigned to the 35th Field Maintenance Squadron, Phan Rang AB,
Republic of Vietnam. His record reflects award of the Republic of
Vietnam, Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), the
Republic of Vietnam, Campaign Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the
National Defense Service Medal w/1 OLC, the Good Conduct Medal w/1
Bronze OLC.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommended the applicant's request be denied. To be
awarded the PH, a member must provide documentation to support he was
wounded as a direct result of enemy action and that the wounds
required or received medical treatment by medical personnel. They
researched the applicant’s personnel record and documents attached to
his appeal and could not find any documentation to support award of
the PH Medal.
The DPPPR evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant states that he has nothing further to add other than he
cannot find the MASH records. He believes his former commander firmly
stated in his letter that his injuries were a result of enemy action.
He doesn’t believe the facts were properly assessed at AFPC.
_________________________________________________________________
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 an injustice. After a thorough review of the
applicant’s submission, it is our opinion that corrective action is
warranted in this case. In this respect, we note that in support of
his appeal, applicant submitted a statement provided by his former
commander. The commander’s statement asserts that the applicant was
one of several ground crew personnel injured when a F-100 aircraft was
hit by an enemy rocket launched from an enemy sight outside the base
perimeter. In view of the foregoing and having no reason to doubt his
commander’s integrity in this matter, it is our opinion that any doubt
concerning the applicant’s entitlement to the PH Medal should be
resolved in his favor. Accordingly, we recommend that his records be
corrected to the extent 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 on 20 June 1969, for injuries he received in action
against an enemy of the United States in the Republic of the
Vietnam.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2004-
02609 in Executive Session on 9 December 2004, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Thomas S. Markiewicz, Chair
Ms. Ms. Carolyn B. Willis, Member
Ms. Dorothy P. Loeb, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 17 Aug 04, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 22 Oct 04.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Oct 04.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, undated.
THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
Chair
AFBCMR BC-2004-02609
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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, 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 the Republic of the Vietnam on 20 June 1969.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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