RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02895
INDEX CODE:
COUNSEL: RONALD L. JACOBS
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 24 March 2007
___________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was wounded in a mission over Europe during World War II and was
never awarded the Purple Heart (PH).
In support of the appeal, applicant submits a copy of his separation
document, a copy of a request for military documents, a copy of US
Army SGO Hospitalization File Listing 1944, a copy of information from
the hospital admission cards created by the Office of the Surgeon
General, Department of the Army, stating the applicant was injured
during the time that he was a passenger in an automobile accident in
February 1944, and two copies of a memorandum requesting correction of
military records.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant’s master personnel record (MPR) may have been lost or
destroyed. Based on the available documentation the following facts
are provided.
Applicant enlisted in the Army Air Force on 31 October 1942 and
entered active duty on the same day. He performed duties as an
Airplane Mechanic Gunner. His highest grade held was technical
sergeant.
On 11 September 1945, while serving in the grade of technical
sergeant, he was honorably discharged, for the convenience of the
government (Demobilization). He was credited with 2 years and 16 days
of continental service and 9 months and 25 days of foreign service.
His separation document shows the following: He participated in the
GO 33 WD 45 Air Offensive Europe, Normandy, and Northern France
battles and campaigns. His separation document also shows he was
entitled to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with four Bronze
Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, and the Distinguished Unit
Badge. It further states in Item 34, Wounds Received in Action:
“None.”
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPR states, to be awarded the Purple Heart, a member must
provide a detailed personal account, eyewitness statements, and
medical documentation to show the wound received treatment by medical
personnel and occurred as a direct result of enemy action.
They further state, the applicant’s case was submitted to the Purple
Heart Review Board (PHRB) on 12 December 2005 for decision. On 14
December 2005, the PHRB disapproved the applicant’s request for the
PH. Therefore, they recommend denial of the applicant’s request.
A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 6 January 2006, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to
the applicant and counsel for review and response within 30 days. As
of this date, no response has been received by this office.
_________________________________________________________________
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
action that required or received treatment by medical personnel.
Applicant contends that he was wounded in a mission over Europe during
World War II and was never awarded the Purple Heart. However, after
thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record, we find no corroborative
evidence to establish that he was treated for wounds received as a
direct result of enemy action during a mission over Europe during
World War II. The personal sacrifice the 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 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 this application in
Executive Session on 21 February 2006, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Mr. Richard A. Peterson, Panel Chair
Ms. Glenda H. Scheiner, Member
Mr. Patrick C. Daugherty, Member
The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket BC-2005-
02895 was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 May 05, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 29 Dec 05.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Jan 06.
RICHARD A. PETERSON
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-02262
In accordance with Army Regulation 600-45, dated 22 September 1943, during the period in question, the PH was awarded for wounds received in action against the enemy or as a direct result of an act of such enemy, provided the wound necessitated treatment by medical personnel. The Purple Heart Review Board (PHRB), on behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force, has the authority to determine a veteran’s entitlement to the PH. The PH is awarded for injuries received as a direct result of enemy action.
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-02966
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02966 INDEX CODE: 100.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 30 MARCH 2007 ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH), the Prisoner-of-War Medal (POW), and an oak leaf cluster to the Air Medal (AM, 1 OLC). Further, he is entitled to the POW because he...
The PHRB determined the applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to support being awarded the PH. He was requested to provide additional information which would substantiate his receiving the PH. A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant submitted, via his Congressman, letters from former military members in support his request...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2004-01775
___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The former service member should have been awarded the Purple Heart medal at discharge. ___________________________________________________________________ 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 he received in action against an enemy of the United States...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-00507
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-00507 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 20 AUGUST 2007 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her late father’s records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart (PH). The Purple Heart Review Board (PHRB) considered and denied the request for PH. The documentation...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-00216
On 23 February 2006, the Purple Heart Review Board (PHRB) reviewed and denied the applicant’s request for award of the PH. _________________________________________________________________ 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 Medal for injuries sustained as a direct result of enemy action during an aerial combat mission over Weimar, Germany on 24 August...
AF | BCMR | CY2003 | BC-2003-02227
Regarding the applicant’s request for the PHM, DPPPR notes that applicant’s record does not substantiate his claims of having been wounded by the enemy. Additionally, there was no evidence provided by the applicant to substantiate his claim of being recommended for the DFC; consequently, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an...
AF | BCMR | CY2003 | BC-2002-04079
_________________________________________________________________ THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He should receive the PH for a wound he received as a direct result of enemy action on 25 March 1945. He did not refer to any medical treatment he might have received or provide any documentation showing that he did received any medical treatment for leg injuries incurred on 25 March 1943. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2005-03309
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005- 03309 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 1 MAY 2007 ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal. To be awarded the PH a member must provide documentation to support his claim that the wound was a direct result of enemy action, and...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-02280
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-02280 INDEX CODE: 107.00 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 31 January 2008 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal. DPPPR states that the applicant’s case was submitted to the Purple Heart Review Board (PHRB) for consideration. Exhibit C....