RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-01219
INDEX NUMBER: 107.00
XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE
XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 14 Oct 06
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH).
_________________________________________________________________
THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Although he was wounded in the wrist during a 1944 bombing mission, he
never received the PH. He went to sick call and the flight surgeon looked
at his wound and returned him to duty. The shrapnel remained in his wrist
until it was removed in 2002.
In support of the appeal, applicant submits a copy of his DD Form 214, his
personal statement, and a statement from a Department of Veterans Affairs
(DVA) physician. The DVA physician states that applicant has had minor
surgery to remove a piece of metal fragment from his left forearm.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant’s military records were destroyed by fire in 1973 at the National
Personnel Records Center (NPRC); therefore, the following information has
been extracted from the documentation provided by the applicant.
Applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps who served on active
duty from 1 April 1943 through 13 May 1945, as an aerial gunner. Block 34,
Wounds Received in Action, of the applicant’s Enlisted Record and Report of
Separation, indicates “none.”
The PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy actions
(i.e., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat wounds, forced
aircraft bail out injuries, etc.). In addition, it is necessary the wound
required or received treatment by medical personnel. Indirect injuries do
not meet the criteria for award of the PH.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPRA recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that
applicant has not submitted any evidence or medical documentation to
substantiate the injury was a direct result of enemy action.
The AFPC/DPPPRA evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant
on 27 May 2005 for review and response within 30 days. However, as of this
date, this office has received no 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. In this respect, we note the PH is
awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy actions and it is
necessary the wound required or received treatment by medical personnel.
The applicant states that he was wounded in the wrist during a 1944 bombing
mission. He further states that his wound was looked at by the flight
surgeon and he was returned to duty. The shrapnel remained in his wrist
until it was removed in 2002. In support of his request, applicant submits
a statement from a DVA physician who states that he has had minor surgery
to remove a piece of metal fragment from his left forearm. However, this
individual does not state the origin of the piece of metal fragment or that
it was the direct result of enemy action. Furthermore, applicant has not
provided statements from any eyewitnesses. The personal sacrifice
applicant endured for his country is noted and our decision in no way
diminishes the high regard we have for his service; however, insufficient
documentary evidence has been presented to warrant awarding him the Purple
Heart. Therefore, in the absence of evidence that he was injured as a
direct result of enemy action, we find no compelling basis to recommend
granting the relief sought in this application. Should he provide
evidence that he was injured as a direct result of enemy action, he may
request reconsideration of his appeal.
_________________________________________________________________
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 Docket Number BC-2005-01219
in Executive Session on 21 July 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Michael K. Gallogly, Panel Chair
Mr. Albert C. Ellett, Member
Mr. Jay H. Jordan, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 May 04, w/atchs
Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPPPRA, dated 20 May 05.
Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 May 05.
MICHAEL K. GALLOGLY
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | bc-2003-03616
Furthermore, his medical records indicate that he had an operation. Applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit E. _________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the DFC and states, in part, that there is no evidence he was recommended for, or awarded the DFC. Should the applicant provide additional statements containing specific details regarding his...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | bc-2003-03308
_________________________________________________________________ THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: During the invasion of *****, on 30 May 1944, he received a shrapnel wound in his left buttock from strafing Japanese aircraft. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that there is no evidence that the foreign body in the applicant’s left buttock is a piece of shrapnel or when/how...
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-01298
In support of his request, applicant submits a personal statement, a copy of a letter to his Congresswoman and a letter from AFPC/DPMSAA denying the applicant award of the PH Medal. He did not provide medical documentation that he was treated for injuries as a result of the bombing raid. The DPPPRA’s evaluation is attached at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Applicant states the letter in his records...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2005-02041
________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He should be awarded the PH for wounds he received while trying to save victims of a B-24 aircraft crash and a bomb aboard the aircraft exploded. In a letter, dated 9 January 2006, applicant requested his application be reopened and provided the following comments. Further, the applicant has not provided any evidence to indicate that he was recommended for, or awarded the BSM and CIB.
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2003-03484
The HQ AFPC/DPPPR evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to applicant on 23 April 2004 for review and response. _________________________________________________________________ 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...
AF | BCMR | CY2003 | BC-2002-02151
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 02-02151 COUNSEL: MARY NEWMAN HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her late husband’s records be corrected to show that he was awarded the Purple Heart (PH). The PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy actions (i.e., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat wounds, forced aircraft bail...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2005-03245
Ever since this injury, the right elbow and forearm area have been a problem. The applicant did not provide medical documentation to substantiate injuries received were a result of enemy action. The applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, after thoroughly reviewing the applicant’s submission, the Board is not persuaded he should be awarded the PH Medal.
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2003-03304
_________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that applicant has provided no medical evidence showing that he was injured while a POW, and there is no evidence in his military medical records to indicate he was injured while a POW. Additionally, in 1988, the Veterans Administration determined the evidence of record did not show right ankle or right knee injuries. ...
AF | BCMR | CY1999 | BC-1997-03684
_________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: Applicant entered active duty on 15 Aug 66. A) provided a statement to the DVA; however, he does not mention any enemy-action injury to the applicant. On 11 Mar 97, his case was forwarded to the PH Review Board where it was determined that his medical documentation did not support his claim of injury.
_________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: Applicant entered active duty on 15 Aug 66. A) provided a statement to the DVA; however, he does not mention any enemy-action injury to the applicant. On 11 Mar 97, his case was forwarded to the PH Review Board where it was determined that his medical documentation did not support his claim of injury.