RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-01735
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY COMPLETION DATE: 10 DECEMBER 2007
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was wounded on his right wrist and also suffered injury to his lower
back by the Viet Cong at Tan Sun Nhut Air Base, Saigon. The attacks
occurred during the night over many days. His sergeant took care of his
wounds and returned him to duty at the airport. He was awarded the Air
Force Commendation Medal; however, he was never awarded the PH medal. He
volunteered and served two tours of duty in Vietnam and is proud he had the
opportunity to serve his country. He served his country well, was
wounded/injured and he deserves to be awarded the PH medal.
In support of the application, the applicant submits a copy of his
separation document (DD 214), a copy of his PCS orders and discharge
orders, a copy of his discharge certificate (USAFR), pictures of the
perimeter at Tan Sun Nhut Air Base, Saigon (2), and pictures of his wrist
injury.
The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 21 Nov 69, the applicant was released from active duty service and was
honorably discharged in the grade of sergeant. He was credited with 3
years, 8 months, and 21 days of total prior active service to include 2
years, 2 months and 2 days of Foreign Service.
His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service
Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Medal, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s request. DPPPR states
the PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy actions.
In addition, it is necessary that the wound required or received treatment
by medical personnel. Indirect injuries do not meet the criteria for award
of the PH. DPPPR states they were unable to verify the applicant’s right
wrist injury. The Purple Heart Review Board disapproved the applicant’s
request of the PH on 24 Jul 06.
The complete DPPPR evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
In his response dated August 31, 2006, the applicant states he is in shock
at DPPPR’s recommendation to deny his request. He was already wounded with
a piece of shrapnel stuck in his wrist when he jumped into a ditch for
cover and injured his lower back. He had the piece of shrapnel as a
souvenir for many years; however, he is now unable to locate it. He did
not mention anything to the VA hospital regarding his wrist because it had
already healed and was not giving him any problems. He went to Vietnam to
defend his country and was wounded. It is not his fault that the medic
failed to document his records. His only other evidence, aside from the
scar on his right wrist, is his emotional, physical and mental condition.
After 37 years, he still has the image of his fellow service members being
removed from trailers in body bags. He receives psychiatric help and
medication so that he can sleep. This evidence is not documented but it is
engraved in his head until the day he dies (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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant’s
contention that he should be awarded the Purple Heart for injuries
sustained during his assignment in Vietnam. After a thorough review of his
submission we are not persuaded that he should be awarded the Purple Heart
Medal. There is no corroborating evidence, medical or otherwise, that the
injuries he alleges he sustained were a direct result of enemy action. In
addition, the applicant did not provide supporting documentation from
eyewitnesses or testimony from other former members of his unit who were
with him at the time that can account for his injuries. Therefore, 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 error or
injustice.
_________________________________________________________________
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-2006-
01735 in Executive Session on 20 September 2006, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Michael J. Novel, Panel Chair
Ms. Karen A. Holloman, Member
Mr. Wallace F. Beard Jr., Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 2 June 06 w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 24 Jul 06.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Aug 06.
MICHAEL J. NOVEL
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-00534
_________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He never received the award for his injury. Medical entries in the applicant’s military medical records at Exhibit B, and provided by him at Exhibit A, for the period 14 Oct-11 Nov 69 reflect he sustained an injury to his right ring finger from a forklift on 14 Oct 69. A complete copy of the HQ AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit...
AF | BCMR | CY2004 | BC-2003-03101
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-03101 INDEX CODE: 107.00 XXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: AMERICAN LEGION XXXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart Medal. DPPPR states that on 1 March 2004, they requested the applicant either withdraw his request for the Purple Heart or submit additional documentation to support...
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 00-02718 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214 be corrected to show he was awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal. DPPPR states that there is no evidence in the applicant's records nor did the applicant provide any documentation that he had been injured and treated as...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2005-03832
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. 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. Novel, Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 Dec 05, w/atchs.
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-01330
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-01330 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 01 NOVEMBER 2007 __________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal and any other decorations for his service in Vietnam. He feels this was a result of enemy action, and that he was treated for the shrapnel...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC 2007 03942
In support of his application, the applicant submits personal statements, and copies of Executive Order 11016, correspondence in connection with his quest for the PH medal, photos, news articles, identification cards, a civilian performance letter, and military discharge documents. Subsequent to his release from active duty, the applicant became a technical representative for Fairchild Camera and Instrument and was assigned to Kadena Air Base, Japan. ...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080000745
The applicants DD Form 214 further shows he completed 1 year and 19 days of foreign service and that his last duty assignment prior to his separation from the Army was Company B, 82nd Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division in the Republic of Vietnam. Evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding the...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2006-02988
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-02988 INDEX CODE: 107.00 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 2 Apr 2008 ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) for an injury he received on a combat flight over Vietnam. He provided another copy of the letter to the Board dated 26 September 2006,...
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 04402
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicants military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. The PH Review Board has the authority (on behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force), to determine a veteran's award of the PH. Each request is considered based on the...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-00236
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-00236 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 28 JUL 07 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Purple Heart (PH). The applicant submitted an application dated 19 March 1982 requesting award of the PH. ...