RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02709
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
THE APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
Her late father be entitled to the Purple Heart (PH) medal.
________________________________________________________________
THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
Based on her Moms statement, her fathers eardrum was ruptured
when his gun was hit by flak. He was treated at the base
hospital for a ruptured eardrum and flak was removed from his
chest. He avoided having the injury put in his record because
he thought it may have interfered with his flight status.
In support of her appeal, the applicant provides a statement
from her mother; a statement from a former member; a copy of her
birth certificate; her fathers death certificate; a copy of his
WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation,
issued in conjunction with his 11 Oct 45 separation, and other
supporting documents.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The decedent was discharged, on 11 Oct 45, with service
characterized as honorable. He was credited with 2 years,
5 months, and 1 day of continental service, including 4 months
and 13 days of foreign service.
________________________________________________________________
THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial, stating, in part, that they were
not able to verify any official military or medical
documentation, a detailed account of the event, or an eyewitness
statement in the available records.
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 the wounds required or received
treatment by medical personnel. Indirect injuries do not meet
the criteria for the award of the PH. These include, but are
not limited to, injuries received while seeking shelter from
mortar or rocket attacks, aircraft bombings, grenades, and
injuries incurred while serving as an aircraft member in a
passenger status as a result of the aircrafts evasive measures
against hostile fire. Injuries or wounds that also do not
qualify for award of the PH are frostbite or trench foot
injuries, heat stroke, and food poisoning not caused by enemy
agents, etc.
The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The deceased members widow provides her account of the mission
that resulted in the former members injury. Additionally, one
of his former crew members submitted statements in support of
the application.
The applicants complete response, with attachments, is at
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 complete submission, including the letters
from the deceased former members family and the recollection of
the engineer depicting the events during one of their missions
between March and July 1944. The acts of heroism and personal
sacrifice the former member endured for our nation is noted;
however, based on our review of the evidence of record and the
documentation submitted in support of the appeal, we do not find
it sufficient to recommend award of the Purple Heart Medal.
Regrettably, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief
sought in this application.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; 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-2010-02709 in Executive Session on 10 February 2011,
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 Jun 10, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 28 Sep 10.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Oct 10.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 29 Oct 10, w/atchs.
Panel Chair
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