RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-02064
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 2 JANUARY 2008
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart (PH).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He received injuries to his left hand on 24 July 1945 while on a
bombing mission against the city of Tsu on the Island of Honchu.
In support of his application, applicant provided a statement and a
statement from a former crewmember.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The servicemember’s records reflect he served on active duty in the
Army of the United States (AUS) from 12 February 1943 through
15 October 1945.
War Department Form 372A indicates the applicant received pay for the
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends the requested relief be denied. DPPPR states
to be awarded the PH, a servicemember must provide a detailed personal
account, eyewitness statements, and medical
documentation to show the wound(s) received treatment by medical
personnel and the injury occurred as a result of enemy action. DPPPR
further states the applicant’s request for the PH was forwarded to the
Purple Heart Review Board (PHRB) for consideration. The applicant’s
request for the PH was disapproved by the PHRB on 6 September 2006.
There was no official documentation located in the applicant’s records
to validate the applicant’s request for the PH. They eyewitness
statement submitted in support of the applicant’s request does not
give a detailed account of how the injury occurred.
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
15 September 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
servicemember has not been the victim of an error or an injustice.
The documentation provided by the applicant and the limited military
records do not substantiate he had an injury that met the criteria for
award of the PH. Although, the applicant submitted an eyewitness
statement, it does not give a detailed account of how the applicant’s
injury occurred. While we are not unmindful or unappreciative of the
applicant’s service to his Nation, in the absence of evidence
substantiating the servicemember received an injury that meets the
criteria for award of the PH, 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 this application in Executive
Session on 25 October 20006, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Ms. Kathleen F. Graham, Panel Chair
Mr. Gary G. Sauner, Member
Mr. Gregory A. Parker, Member
The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number
BC-2006-02064 was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 6 Jul 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Available Military Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, 7 Sep 06.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Sep 06.
KATHLEEN F. GRAHAM
Panel Chair
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