RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-00731
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 3 JUNE 2006
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His record be corrected to show that he received the Purple Heart Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
On 5 July 1971, his right hand was wounded during combat in DaNang,
Vietnam.
No supporting documentation was submitted. The applicant's complete
submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 27 July 1973, the applicant was honorably discharged in the grade of
Sergeant effective 1 July 1971. He was credited with 4 years total active
service to include 1 year and 10 days of foreign service. His service
record indicates that he served in Vietnam from 11 July 1970 to 11 July
1971.
His discharge document reflects he was awarded the National Defense Service
Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service
Award, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, the Vietnam Service
Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
On 27 March 1984, the HQ USAF Purple Heart Review Board reviewed the
applicant’s request for the PH, and found the documentation submitted did
not fully substantiate the award because there were no statements from
eyewitnesses regarding the incident, nor any documentation that clearly
proved the injuries received were a result of direct enemy action.
Therefore, the board denied the applicant’s request for the PH.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPRS recommends denial. DPPRS states to be awarded the PH, a
member must provide a detailed personal account, eyewitness statements, and
medical documentation to show the wound(s) received treatment by medical
personnel and occurred as a direct result of enemy action. DPPRS notes
there are no eyewitness statements regarding the incident, nor
documentation that clearly proves the injuries the applicant received were
a result of direct enemy action. DPPRS concludes the applicant has not
provided any additional documentation with his second request (Exhibit C).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for
review and comment on 19 August 2005. As of this date, this office has
received no response (Exhibit D).
_________________________________________________________________
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
sustained during his assignment in Vietnam. After a thorough review of his
submission we are not persuaded that he should be awarded the Purple Heart
Medal. There is no evidence that the wound he alleges he sustained was a
direct result of enemy action. In addition, the applicant did not provide
supporting documentation from eyewitnesses or testimony from other former
members of his unit who were with him at the time that can account for his
injury. However, should the applicant provide the above information,
reconsideration of his request would be possible
_________________________________________________________________
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 Docket Number BC-2005-00731
in Executive Session in Executive Session on 18 October 2005, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Ms. Charlene M. Bradley, Panel Chair
Ms. Renee M. Collier, Panel Member
Mr. Richard K. Hartley, Panel Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 24 Feb 05.
Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 12 Aug 05.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Aug 05.
CHARLENE M. BRADLEY
Panel Chair
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