RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-03832
INDEX CODE: 107.00
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NOT INDICATED
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 18 JUN 2007
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
Her deceased husband's records be corrected to show he was awarded the
Purple Heart (PH) Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Her husband sustained injuries on 20 October 1944 on the Island of
Leyte in the Philippines.
In support of her request, the applicant submits a copy of her
husband’s Certificate of Death, a personal statement, a Radiology
Report, a copy of pictures from her husband’s memoirs. WD AGO Form
100, Army of the United States Separation Qualification Record, WD AGO
Form 53-55, Report of Separation Honorable Discharge and WD AGO Form
38, Prior to Discharge, Release from Active Duty or Retirement.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The former member’s military personnel records were destroyed by fire
in 1973. The available records reflect he enlisted in the Army Air
Corp on 20 May 1943 and was released from active duty on 27 January
1946.
His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,
reflects an honorable discharge, and an overseas tour in the Southern
Philippines. He earned the World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine
Liberation Ribbon, w/2 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, American
Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the American
Campaign Medal.
On 30 January 2006, the applicant’s request was forwarded to the
Purple Heart Review Board (PHRB). The PHRB determined the applicant
did not have sufficient medical documentation to approve the PH.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial. DPPPR states to be awarded the PH,
a member must provide documentation to support he was wounded as a
direct result of enemy action and must have received medical treatment
by medical personnel. In addition, it is necessary that the wound
required or received medical treatment by medical personnel. Indirect
injuries do not meet Purple Heart criteria. Indirect injuries include
rocket attacks, aircraft bombings, grenades, and injuries incurred
while serving as an aircraft member or in a passenger status as a
result of the aircraft’s evasive measures against hostile fire.
According to DPPPR the only supporting documentation of injuries was a
radiology report 20 years after the fact.
The DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on
10 Feb 06, 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. After a thorough review of the
former member’s wife’s submission and the available evidence of
record, we are not persuaded that he should be awarded the PH Medal.
There was no evidence presented, which would lead us to believe that
he was medically treated for any wounds incurred as a direct result of
enemy fire. We are not unmindful or unappreciative of his service to
his Nation. Should supporting documentation be secured or a notarized
account from an individual who eye witnessed his injuries be obtained,
we would be willing to reconsider this application. The two web sites
at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/awards/ and www.au.af.mil/au/afhra/ may be
useful to help secure evidence to support this case. Otherwise,
without persuasive evidence that he was wounded as a direct result of
enemy action, we find no compelling basis to warrant favorable
consideration of this application.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of a 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 no considered with this application.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2005-
03832 in Executive Session on 19 April 2006, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Ms. Charlene M. Bradley, Panel Chair
Ms. Jan Mulligan, Member
Mr. Michael J. Novel, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 Dec 05, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 31 Jan 06.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Feb 06.
CHARLENE M. BRADLEY
Panel Chair
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