RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-00216
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 24 JUL 07
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Purple Heart
(PH).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
On 24 August 1944, while on a mission to Weimar, Germany, they were
attacked by a squadron of ME 109s. He further believes he is entitled
to receive the PH, because his fellow crewmembers were wounded and
awarded the PH.
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’s WD AGO 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation
Honorable Discharge reflects the applicant enlisted in the Army Air
Corps on 25 July 1942.
His records further reflect he was awarded the Air Medal with three
Oak Leaf Clusters (OLCs), two Overseas Bars-Central Europe-Ardennes
and three Bronze Stars-Western Europe, Northern France and Germany.
The applicant’s records also reflect he served an overseas tour from
July 1944 to July 1945.
The applicant’s Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable
Discharge, Item 34 reflects the applicant did not receive any wounds
while in action.
On 25 September 1945, the applicant was honorably discharged in the
grade of staff sergeant. He served three years, two months of active
duty service.
The applicant submitted a request via Senator Thomas’ office seeking
assistance with his request for award of the PH. The Board staff in
response to the congressional inquiry provided status information
regarding the applicant’s request to the Senator.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR states to be awarded the PH, a servicemember must
provide documentation to support he was injured as a direct result of
enemy action and must have received medical treatment by medical
personnel. Indirect injuries do not meet the PH criteria. Indirect
injuries include but are not limited to, diseases, exposure, injuries
received while seeking shelter from mortar or 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. On 23 February 2006, the Purple Heart
Review Board (PHRB) reviewed and denied the applicant’s request for
award of the PH. The PHRB determined the applicant did not have
sufficient medical documentation to support his request. Therefore,
HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends the applicant’s request for the PH be denied.
A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant in seeking assistance with his application for award of
the PH submitted additional documentation via Congresswoman Cubin’s
office (Exhibit E).
_________________________________________________________________
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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate
the existence of an error or injustice warranting awarding the
applicant the Purple Heart medal. After reviewing the documentation
submitted, we believe, the applicant has provided sufficient evidence
to support award of the Purple Heart. The applicant provided with his
request newspaper articles and a statement from an eyewitness
attesting that he was involved and injured in an aerial combat mission
over Weimar, Germany in August 1944. In view of the circumstances of
this case, and the limited personnel records, the Board believes any
doubt in this matter should be resolved in the favor of the applicant.
Therefore, the Board recommends that he be awarded the Purple Heart.
_________________________________________________________________
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 1944.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2006-00216 in Executive Session on 6 April 2006, under the provisions
of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. James W. Russell III, Panel Chair
Mr. James L. Sommer, Member
Ms. Barbara R. Murray, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 13 Jan 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Reconstructed Military Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 24 Feb 06.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Mar 06.
Exhibit E. Letter, Congresswoman Barbara Cubin, dated
13 Mar 06, w/atchs
JAMES W. RUSSELL III
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2006-00216
MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF
Having reviewed and considered the recommendation of the Air
Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority
of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116) it is
directed that:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air
Force relating to , 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 1944.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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