RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-03136
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
The applicant requests that his records be corrected to reflect he was
awarded the Bronze Star (BS) and Purple Heart (PH) medals.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
The Bronze Star he received during World War II is not listed on his
WD AGO 53 - 55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable
Discharge.
He reenlisted in 1948 and received the PH because his hearing had been
severely damaged during the war.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army (RA) on 24 April 1937. He
was honorably discharged on 24 March 1938. The applicant enlisted in
the Army on 9 April 1942. He served on active duty in the Army Air
Force (AAF) from 21 July 1944 through 17 December 1946. He reenlisted
in the RA on 6 March 1948 and was progressively promoted to the rank
of Specialist Five (SP5). He retired on 1 January 1966 after serving
more than 22 years of active Federal Service.
His records reflect he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal (GCM) with
one silver loop, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle
Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation
Medal with the Germany clasp and the Berlin Airlift Device, Medal for
Humane Action and the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM).
On 14 October 2003, the applicant was forwarded the criteria for award
of the PH, BS and the rules for applying for decorations under the
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). He was also requested to
provide additional documentation to support his request.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR states after a complete review of the applicant’s personnel
records and the documentation he provided, they were unable to
determine his eligibility for the BS and PH. They were did not find
any evidence of a recommendation or award of the medals in question.
Furthermore, the applicant was requested to provide documentation to
validate his request and he did not respond.
A complete copy of the evaluation, with attachments, is attached at
Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 14 December 2004, the applicant’s wife submitted a letter informing
the Board her husband passed away in May 2004. She also stated her
husband was a career Army man. She further stated her husband was
receiving a Veterans Affairs (VA) pension and that he received a
letter reassigning his Priority Group because he received the PH
(Exhibit E).
On 12 January 2005, the Board staff informed the applicant’s wife that
during the time period in question her late-husband’s military service
falls under the purview of the Air Force Board for Correction of
Military Records (AFBCMR) and requested she provide any additional
documentation in support of her late-husband’s request for award of
the BS and PH. She did not respond (Exhibit F).
_________________________________________________________________
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 an error or an injustice. We took note of the
documentation provided in support of the applicant’s request for award
the PH and BS medals. After thoroughly reviewing the available
personnel records, we found no evidence to verify he was eligible for
or recommended for either award. Nor, is there any available evidence
in the applicant’s records indicating he met the criteria for either
award. Furthermore, both the applicant and his widow were requested
to provide any additional documentation in support of his request.
The applicant’s widow indicated in a statement the servicemember was
receiving a pension from the VA and that his Priority Group had been
reassigned due to his receiving the PH. However, she further stated
she had no proof regarding this matter. Unfortunately, without any
official documentation verifying the applicant’s eligibility for the
PH and BSM we cannot determine his entitlement for the awards.
Furthermore, we cannot determine what documentation the VA used to
assign his Priority Group. While we are not unmindful or
unappreciative of the servicemember’s service to his Nation, in the
absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling 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 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2004-03136 in Executive Session on 23 February 2005 under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Robert S. Boyd, Panel Chair
Mr. John B. Hennessey, Member
Mr. Patrick C. Daugherty, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 Dec 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Avaialble Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 29 Nov 04, w/atch.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Dec 04.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant’s Spouse’s Response,
dated 14 Dec 04.
Exhibit F. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 12 Jan 05, w/atch.
ROBERT S. BOYD
Panel Chair
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