RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-03075
INDEX CODE: 107.00
XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_______________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal.
_______________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He wounded his right hand while on a bombing mission in Germany. As a
result he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC); however, he
prefers to be awarded the PH for this injury. After this incident, he was
sent on another mission and did not have the time to be treated for his
injury. His right hand has scars and neural neuropathy. He requests the
PH instead of the DFC for personal reasons, his family and Department of
Veterans Affairs (DVA) benefits.
In support of his request, the applicant submits a personal statement, his
WDAGO Form 53-98, Army of the United States, Certificate of Service, copies
of his DFC citation and photographs.
His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_______________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Data extracted from his available military records reflects the applicant
was commissioned in the Army of the United States on 22 July 1944.
He was separated on 20 January 1946 in the grade of first lieutenant with
service characterized as honorable. He served a total of 18 months on
active duty.
_______________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIDR recommends the request be denied. DPSIDR states no official
documentation (medical documentation, eyewitness statements and etc.,) was
located in the applicant's record or submitted by the applicant that
verifies he was injured due to direct enemy action. The detailed account
of the incident that occurred on 20 January 1945 does not state he was
injured by direct enemy action during the mission over Regensburg, Germany.
According to the document provided, there was a mechanical failure that
occurred during the first bomb release and the applicant had to clear the
bomb bays by taking off his heated gloves and reinsert the cotter pins.
The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_______________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant provided a statement from a former Veteran's Service office
supporting his request for the award of the PH.
The complete response is attached at 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. After a thorough review of the available
evidence and the applicant’s complete submission, we find no evidence which
would lead us to believe the applicant incurred an injury as a direct
result of enemy action as required for award of the PH. We are not
unmindful or unappreciative of his service to his Nation. Should he secure
supporting documentation, we would be willing to reconsider his
application. Accordingly, in the absence of persuasive evidence to the
contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend favorable consideration
of his application.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate
the existence of a material error or injustice; that the application was
denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2007-
03075 in Executive Session on 8 April 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Ms. Rita S. Looney, Panel Chair
Ms. Karen A. Holloman, Member
Mr. Garry G. Sauner, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 May 2007, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 20 February 2008.
Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 7 March 2008.
Exhibit D. Letter, Friend, dated 12 March 2008.
MS. RITA S. LOONEY
Panel Chair
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