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AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2005-03788
Original file (BC-2005-03788.doc) Auto-classification: Denied

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2005-03788
                       INDEX CODE:  107.00
                       COUNSEL:  NONE

                       HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  17 JUN 07

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded  the  Purple  Heart
(PH).

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should be awarded the PH because of  a  recent  decision  that  all
Prisoners of War (POW) should receive this medal.

Applicant's complete submission,  with  attachments,  is  attached  at
Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant’s military records were destroyed in the 1973  fire  at  the
National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

The applicant enlisted in the Army of the United  States  on  23 April
1943.

His WD AGO Form 53-55 reflects he was  awarded  the  European-African-
Middle (EAME) Theatre Medal and the Good Conduct Medal (GCM).  He  had
foreign service from 26 May 1945 through 12 June  1945.   His  WD  AGO
Form 53-55 further reflects he received no wounds in action.

On 25 October 1945, the applicant  was  honorably  discharged  in  the
grade of technical sergeant.  He served two years, six months and  two
days of active duty service.

On 13 March 2006, the Army Repatriation and  Family  Affairs  Division
verified the applicant was a POW from 21 July 1944 to 4 May 1945.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial.  DPPPR states Public  Law  (PL)  104-
106,  dated  10  February  1996  authorized  award  of   the   PH   to
servicemembers who were wounded while held as a POW prior to  25 April
1962. The servicemembers must have suffered wounds or injuries at  the
hands of their captors and the wounds must have required  or  received
treatment by medical personnel.  Furthermore no evidence was found  in
the limited military records  or  in  the  applicant’s  submission  to
verify he was wounded while being held as a POW.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the  applicant  on
24 March 2006, for review and response.  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 an error or an injustice.   We  took  notice  of  the
applicant's complete submission in judging the  merits  of  the  case;
however, we agree with the opinion and the recommendation of  the  Air
Force and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the
applicant has not been the victim of an error or  an  injustice.   The
documentation provided by  the  applicant  and  his  limited  military
records do not substantiate he had an injury that met the criteria for
award of the PH.  Although  the  applicant  was  a  POW,  he  has  not
provided persuasive evidence to show he was injured while  being  held
captive.  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
absences of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling  basis  to
recommend granting the relief sought.

_________________________________________________________________

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-
2005-03788 in Executive Session on 4 May 2006, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:

                       Mr. Wayne R. Gracie, Panel Chair
                       Mr. Alan A. Blomgren, Member
                       Mr. B.J. White-Olson, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

      Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 7 Sep 05, w/atchs.
      Exhibit B. Available Military Personnel Records.
      Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPP, dated 13 Mar 06.
      Exhibit D. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 22 Mar 06.
      Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Mar 06.




                             WAYNE R. GRACIE
                             Panel Chair

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