RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-03211
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: Apr 22, 2008
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His father’s records be corrected to show the former service member was
wounded in combat (during the invasion of Germany in 1945) and he be
posthumously awarded the Purple Heart (PH).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Prior to his father’s death, he recounted military operations he was
involved in to include sustained injuries.
In support of his request, the applicant provided a copy of his father’s WD
AGO Form 53-98, Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of
Service, discharge certificate, death certificate, and a birth certificate
showing the applicant as proper proof of interest.
The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The former service member’s military records were destroyed by fire in 1973
at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). Therefore, the facts
surrounding the claim of being wounded in action cannot be verified. Also,
there are no medical records with the applicant’s name on file at the VA.
The available records indicate the former service member served on active
duty in the Army Air Corp as a lieutenant colonel from 13 Aug 42 to 16 Jan
46, as a communications officer.
A Clinical Records Brief extracted from the hospital admissions card data
file (1942-45 and 1950-54), created by the Office of the Surgeon General,
Department of the Army, reflect the former service member was hospitalized
in Aug 45 for a hernia, in Atlantic City AF, New Jersey, and discharged
from the hospital in Oct 45.
The former service member is credited with service in the following battles
and campaigns: Sicily, Naples Foggia, Rome, Northern France, Rhineland,
and Normandy.
A complete list of the former service member’s awards and decorations for
the period 13 Aug 42 to 16 Jan 46 are cited on his WD AGO Form 53-98,
Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of Service.
The PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy actions
(i.e., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat wounds, forced
aircraft bail out injuries, etc.). In addition, it is necessary that the
wound have required or received treatment by medical personnel. Indirect
injuries do not meet the criteria for the PH.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
There were insufficient records for the office of primary responsibility to
prepare an advisory opinion.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or
regulations.
2. The application was timely filed.
3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant's
complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, there is
not sufficient documentation to approve the applicant’s request. Should
the applicant provide documentation indicating that his father was wounded
as a direct result of enemy action, the Board would be inclined to review
this case again for possible reconsideration. Therefore, in the absence of
evidence to the contrary, 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 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 Docket Number BC-2006-03211
in Executive Session on 9 January 2006, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Ms.Kathleen F. Graham, Panel Chair
Ms. Mary C. Puckett, Member
Mr. Patrick C. Daugherty, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 23 Aug 06.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 20 Nov 06.
KATHLEEN F. GRAHAM
Panel Chair
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