RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-03968
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY COMPLETION DATE: 1 JUL 2008
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show he was awarded the Purple Heart (PH)
award.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His record will show that his C47 crashed during combat in 1944 and he
suffered an injury to his right hand. He believed he was already a PH
recipient; however, he recently found out that he was not.
In support of his application, the applicant submits a copy of his
Certification of Military Service, a copy of a medical examination report,
copies of documents excerpted from his military personnel record, a copy of
his VA claim statement, a copy of a support letter from a medical doctor,
copies of photographs of his hands, and copies of photographs of an
airplane.
The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant’s military personnel record is incomplete. The following
information was extracted from documentation submitted by the applicant.
The applicant was inducted into the Army Air Corps on 24 February 1943. On
22 September 1945, he was honorably discharged from military service in the
grade of corporal. He served 2 years, 6 months and 24 days on active duty
service to include 2 years and 15 days of Foreign Service.
His report of physical examination prior to discharge, release from active
duty or retirement dated 25 Jan 45, Block 11 states “Injured right hand,
7th Fld Hosp, 1944” and Block 11 (3) indicates the injury incurred while in
military service. However, his separation document indicates in Block 34
wounds received in action “None.”
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s request. DPPPR states
to be awarded the PH, a member must provide a detailed personal account,
eyewitness statements, and medical documentation to show the wound(s)
received treatment by medical personnel and occurred as a direct result of
enemy action.
The applicant’s package was considered and disapproved by the Purple Heart
Review Board (PHRB) on 5 Feb 07. The PHRB determined that his injuries
were not caused by direct enemy action which makes him ineligible for the
award of the PH.
The complete DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit D.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for
review and comment on 9 Feb 07. As of this date, this office has received
no response (Exhibit D).
_________________________________________________________________
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 an injury
sustained when he was shot down during combat. After a thorough review of
his submission and the supporting documentation he provided, these
documents do not persuade us that he should be awarded the Purple Heart
Medal. There is no evidence that the wound he alleges he sustained was a
direct result of enemy action. Therefore, we agree with the opinion and
recommendation of Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its
rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been
the victim of an error or injustice. While we appreciate and honor the
applicant’s service to his country, in view of the above the applicant’s
request is not favorably considered.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate
the existence of probable 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 Docket Number BC-2006-03968
in Executive Session in Executive Session on 4 April 2007, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Thomas S. Markiewicz, Chair
Ms. Renee M. Collier, Member
Ms. Judith B. Oliva, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 24 May 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 6 Feb 07.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Feb 07
THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-02966
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-02966 INDEX CODE: 100.00 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 30 MARCH 2007 ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH), the Prisoner-of-War Medal (POW), and an oak leaf cluster to the Air Medal (AM, 1 OLC). Further, he is entitled to the POW because he...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2007-01576
Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. Wounds received as a result of action with enemy forces as “not applicable.” ___________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPPPR reviewed this application and recommended denial, stating, in part, applicant requests award of the PH for injuries received during a bomb concussion from a North Korea or Chinese fighter plane. ...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2007-00147
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant’s military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force at Exhibit (C). DPPPR states that to be awarded the PH, documentation (i.e. a detailed account, eyewitness statements, and medical documentation) must be provided to show the wounds were a direct result of enemy action. DPPPR notes the Purple Heart Review Board (PHRB) disapproved the applicant’s request...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-00216
On 23 February 2006, the Purple Heart Review Board (PHRB) reviewed and denied the applicant’s request for award of the PH. _________________________________________________________________ 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...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2007-00178
In support of his application, the applicant submits a personal statement and copies of flying and medical records. DPPPR states the applicant does not meet the criteria for award of the PH medal. The DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: He was ill on every mission, not just the last mission, as the Air Force advisory opinion references.
The applicant’s request for the PH was staffed through the Purple Heart Review Board (PHRB). Although the applicant suffered injuries, there is no indication that he received treatment by medical personnel, or that his injuries were received as a direct result of enemy action. _________________________________________________________________ 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...
AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2006-03255
_______________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He received injuries to his left knee in 1943 when his ship was hit by a German torpedo and he jumped to a lifeboat. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPPPR recommends the applicant’s request for the PH Medal be denied. The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S...
________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: As a tail gunner in a B-24 Bomber during World War II, his plane was gunned down by the Germans. ___________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The Recognition Programs Branch, AFPC/DPPPR, indicates that the Purple Heart is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy action. THOMAS C. MARKIEWICZ Panel Chair AFBCMR 00-03104 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF...
AF | BCMR | CY2003 | BC-2003-00533
The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: He did suffer the atrocity of beatings to his lower back while a POW at Stalag Luft IV and the DVA has determined his lower back condition is service-connected for the injury received while a POW. _________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD: A majority of the Board finds...
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2006-00551
_________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends the applicant’s request for award of the PH be denied. 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 and counsel on 5 May 2006, for review and response. Furthermore, there is no...