RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-03520
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: American Legion
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His record be corrected to show he was a Prisoner of War (POW) during
World War II (WWII) and that he be awarded the Purple Heart Medal
(PHM) for being wounded during an air mission on 16 July 1944.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was wounded on 16 July 1944 when his aircraft was shot down over
Munich, Germany. Two crewmembers were killed in the crash while the
Germans took him and the remaining crew prisoner. He was held as a
POW until 1 May 1945.
In support of his appeal, the applicant has provided copies of crew
lists, information from the Jackson County Department of Veteran’s
Affairs, his honorable discharge papers, several documents regarding
his Missing in Action (MIA) and POW status, and an AAF Form 5, flight
record.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant began his military service with the Army Air Force (AAF) on
14 October 1942. After training, he served on a B-17 bomber as a
Radio Operator and Mechanized Gunner. He was progressively promoted
to the grade of technical sergeant and on 21 May 1944, he left the
United States to participate in several air campaigns in the European
Theater of Operations including Northern and Southern France,
Normandy, Rhineland and the Air Offensive, Europe. On 16 July 1944,
while participating in a bombing run over Munich, Germany, his plane
was shot down. He was captured that same day and remained in POW
status until 7 May 1945. He arrived back in the United States on 11
Jun 1945. He was demobilized effective 15 Dec 1945 and issued an
Honorable Discharge certificate after having served for 3 years and 14
days.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial regarding his request for award of the
PHM. DPPPR states after a complete review of his official military
record they were not able to verify his entitlement to the PHM. DPPPR
notes several documents in his official record indicate several
different knee incidents during his active duty service time.
Alternatively, however, DPPPR states they were not able to find any
documentation to verify a knee injury during the time the applicant
claims he was injured.
DPPPR’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.
ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPFC has verified his status as a WWII POW and has requested
his record be corrected to reflect such.
DPPPR’s complete evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit D.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on
17 February 2006 for review and comment within 30 days. 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. We took notice of the
applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case;
however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force
office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis
for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an
error or injustice. The appropriate office of primary responsibility
has determined he was a POW and his record has been administratively
corrected to reflect such. 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2005-03520 in Executive Session on 28 March 2006, under the provisions
of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Jay H. Jordan, Panel Chair
Ms. Renee M. Collier, Member
Ms. Josephine L. Davis, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 May 2004, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, undated.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPFC, dated 12 Jan 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Feb 06.
JAY H. JORDAN
Panel Chair
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