RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-03236
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
On 21 June 1944, during World War II, he sustained a head wound due to
enemy gunfire while in action during a bombing raid over Truk from a
Japanese Zero Fighter.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
During the time period in question, the applicant enlisted in the Army Air
Corps on 20 June 1941.
On 8 March 1960, the applicant was relieved from active duty in the grade
of technical sergeant with service characterized as honorable. On 9 March
1960, he was placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) for
psychotic depressive reaction and on 23 April 1964 he retired with a degree
of physical disability with a compensable rating of 30 percent. He served
16 years, 2 months, and 18 days of total active duty service.
The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of
Transfer or Discharge) and AF Form 7 (Airman Military Record) indicate he
received the following decorations and citations: the Air Force Longevity
Service Award with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal Bronze Clasp
with Two Loops, National Defense Service Medal, American Defense Service
Medal with One Bronze Service Star, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, World
War II Victory Medal, Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished
Flying Cross with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with
Four Bronze Service Stars, and the American Campaign Medal.
Through a congressional inquiry the applicant requested award of the Purple
Heart Medal for injuries sustained on 21 June 1944. 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.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommended denial indicating after a complete review of the
applicant’s records and his submission they are unable to verify his
entitlement to the PH due to limited information. The applicant claims he
was injured by a piece of a 20mm shell during a bombing raid over Truk from
a Japanese Zero Fighter. He also provided an eyewitness statement of the
actual injury; however, there is no evidence in the applicant’s record to
support his claim.
The evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant reviewed the evaluation and explained the reason there is no
medical documentation indicating he received a head wound by enemy action.
The Navy Corpsman who treated his wound apparently did not know the wound
was from enemy action and did not make it a matter of record.
Applicant’s submission 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 an error or an injustice warranting award of the Purple Heart
Medal. The applicant contends he sustained a head wound due to enemy
gunfire from a Japanese Zero Fighter while in action during a bombing raid
over Truk. The Board notes there is no evidence in the applicant’s record
to support his claim of injury by enemy action in 1944. However, the
applicant provided an eyewitness statement by the pilot of the aircraft of
the accounts and the injuries he sustained. We have no reason to doubt the
statement provided. In view of this and in recognition of his
extraordinary accomplishments in the defense of our nation during wartime,
we believe the benefit of the doubt should be resolved in the applicant’s
favor. Therefore, in view of the above and to offset any possibility of an
injustice to the applicant, we recommend 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 for
injuries sustained during a bombing mission over Truk Island, on 21 June
1944.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-
03236 in Executive Session on 16 and 27 December 2004, under the provisions
of AFI 36-2603:
Ms. Rita S. Looney, Panel Chair
Mr. Garry G. Sauner, Member
Mr. Gregory A. Parker, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following
documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 October 2004, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Available Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 27 October 2004.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 November 2004.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, undated.
RITA S. LOONEY
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2004-03236
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 that he was awarded the Purple Heart
for injuries sustained during a bombing mission over Truk Island, on 21
June 1944.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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