RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-03250
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal for injuries received
while on duty at Phu Cat Air Base, Republic of Vietnam.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
On or about 21 January 1968 while on duty in Vietnam, he deployed
a hand flare for illumination; however, the flare ignited,
burning his forearms, neck and face. After notifying the
noncommissioned officer on duty (NCOD), he was relieved and taken
to the base hospital for treatment of his injuries.
In support of his request, the applicant provides extracts from
his medical records.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 9 August 1965, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air
Force.
The applicants SF Form 600, Chronological Record of Medical
Care, states that on 21 January 1968, he received second and
third degree burns on his face and arms.
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 required or received treatment by
medical personnel. Indirect injuries do not meet the criteria
for 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.
On 31 January 1969, the applicant was honorably discharged in the
grade of airman basic after serving 3 years, 5 months and
23 days of total active service.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states the applicants
military personnel and medical records lacks sufficient
documentation or evidence to verify he was injured due to direct
enemy action.
The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant states he is not sure what the Air Force needs from
him. He has provided pictures to support his request.
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. After thoroughly
reviewing the evidence of record, we are not persuaded the
applicants request for the Purple Heart should be granted. The
applicants contentions are duly noted; however, without
documentation to substantiate his injury was the direct result of
enemy action, we are unable to verify his entitlement to the
Purple Heart. Therefore, we agree with the opinion and
recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility
and adopt its rationale expressed as the basic for our conclusion
that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or
injustice. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no
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 considered Docket Number
BC-2010-03250 in Executive Session on 21 June 2011, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Panel Chair
Member
Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 6 Sep 10, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 1 Nov 10.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 Nov 10.
Exhibit E. Applicants Response, dated 27 Nov 10.
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-01958
His recommendation for the PH medal was disapproved on two occasions by the decorations board. DPSIDR states the PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy action (e.g. gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat wounds, forced aircraft bailout injuries, etc.). DPSIDR states the medical documentation provided pertains to the burn injuries sustained by the applicant when grabbing a hot weapon.
AF | BCMR | CY2010 | BC-2010-02891
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02891 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) administratively corrected. After a thorough review of the available evidence and applicants complete submission, we find no evidence the applicants records should be corrected to show he was...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-02891
DPSIDR states the applicant provided as evidence a personal statement dated 17 May 11, which contains a detailed description of the incident, as well as his visit to the doctor after being evacuated. Also, he provided an eyewitness account dated 17 Jun 11. The eyewitness statement supports the applicants description of the incident; however, neither the applicant nor the eyewitness mention the dates or rank of the applicant at the time of the incident.
AF | BCMR | CY2010 | BC-2010-01511
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01511 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal for a service-connected wound in Nadzab, New Guinea. As of this date, this office has received no response (Exhibit D). ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-02034
DPSIDR states the applicant was not able to provide any medical documentation stating that his injuries were the direct result of enemy action, and that he received treatment for his injuries. The applicant did provide a statement to the Air Force Physical Evaluation Board on 11 Aug 66, which described the bomb explosion and resulting injuries. As such, we find the evidence of record sufficient to resolve any doubt in favor of the applicant and believe it is in the interest of equity and...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-02592
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the evaluation prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force found at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of the applicants request based on the lack of evidence establishing the aircraft crash was combat related. The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-03970
The PH Medal is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy action (i.e., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat wounds, force aircraft bail out injuries, etc.). _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial noting the applicants injuries do not meet the criteria for award of the PH Medal. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-04198
The applicant provided an abbreviated account of the circumstances surrounding the incident, but did not provide eyewitness statements or medical records. There was no medical documentation provided or located in the applicant's records and no indication that the physical incapacitation was related to his hand injury. The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 9 Feb 2012,...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-00025
_________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 25 Mar 11, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a response has not been received (Exhibit C). _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2011-00025 in Executive Session on 9 Jun 11, under the provisions of AFI...
AF | BCMR | CY2010 | BC-2010-001152
The PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy actions (e.g., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat wounds, forced aircraft bailout injuries, etc.). _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 1 September 1945, he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds incurred on a forced march while being held...