RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-03064
INDEX CODE: 107.00
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE
XXXXXXXXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
On 28 September 1944, while on a mission to Merseburg, Germany, he was
hit in the lower right arm with a piece of flak. He and three other men
onboard the plane were wounded. He did not report it because he did not
want to stay in the hospital and miss his regular series of missions.
In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a letter from his
physician verifying the scar to the lower right arm. The applicant’s
submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant enlisted in the Air Force Reserve Corps for Aviation Cadet
Training on 22 September 1942 in the grade of E-1 (Private). He was
appointed an aviation cadet and entered into Aviation Cadet (Air Crew)
Training. On 8 February 1944, he was appointed a second lieutenant, Army
of the United States, Air Corps and entered active duty on same date.
The applicant departed for the European Theater of Operations (ETO) on 18
May 1944. While in the ETO he performed duties as a B-17 Pilot. He
departed the ETO on 23 November 1944 and arrived in the Continental US on
24 November 1944. His separation document shows he participated in the
following campaigns: Air Combat Balkans, Air Offensive Europe, Southern
France Normandy and Northern France Rhineland. He was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and the
European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal.
In a Physical Examination for Flying, dated 3 January 1945, completed
following the applicant’s return from overseas, it was indicated that the
applicant had “no injuries, illnesses or operations while in military
service.” The applicant’s Certificate of Service, documenting his relief
from active duty on 5 October 1945, indicates he sustained no wounds in
action.
Applicant continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve and Air National
Guard in an active status until his transfer to the Retired Reserve
Section in the grade of lieutenant colonel effective 8 March 1972. He
had completed a total of 20 years, 9 months and 9 days of satisfactory
Federal service.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied. DPPPR states that the
applicant has not provided sufficient information or documentation to
substantiate his claim for award of the PH. The Purple Heart Review
Board concluded that the evidence presented by the applicant did not meet
the criteria for award of the PH since the evidence did not demonstrate
his injury was a direct result of enemy action or that medical
authorities treated him. The DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 10 November 2004, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was sent to the
applicant for review and comment. As of this date, this office has not
received a response.
_________________________________________________________________
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 error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant’s
contention that he should be awarded the Purple Heart for an injury he
sustained to the lower right arm while on a mission to Merseburg,
Germany. After a thorough review of his submission and the supporting
documentation he provided, his physician’s letter, which indicates the
presence of a scar to the right anterior forearm, this statement alone
does not persuade us that he should be awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
Rather, the contemporaneous personnel and medical records contain no
evidence of medical treatment for the wound he alleges he sustained or
that the wound was a direct result of enemy action. While we appreciate
and honor the applicant’s service to his country, absent sufficient
documentation to support his eligibility for award of the Purple Heart,
we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this
application.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate
the existence of probable 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 18 January 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Mr. Robert S. Boyd, Panel Chair
Ms. B J White-Olson, Member
Mr. Lanny Cawthon, Member
The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number 04-03064 was
considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 14 Sep 04, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 8 Nov 04.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Nov 04.
ROBERT S. BOYD
Panel Chair
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