RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-03692 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

The Purple Heart (PH) Medal be annotated on his DD Form 214. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He received a PH medal after his plane crashed in the South 
Pacific (Island of Morotai) and was told that the paperwork would 
be completed; however, it never was. He tried to correct his 
records many years ago, but was told his records were burned in a 
fire. 

 

In a personal statement by the applicant, submitted by a Home 
Based Primary Care Social Worker, he states that on 3 Oct 44, he 
and 11 other aircraft crew members were told that their mission 
was to bomb Truk Island; which was supposed to be a safe mission. 
However, when they flew over Truk Ishand they encountered fighter 
aircraft. Most of the aircraft were shot down, to include the 
applicant’s aircraft. He was treated for facial wounds that he 
received due to the forced crash-landing impact and shrapnel. He 
first learned of the PH not being annotated on his WD AGO Form 
53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable 
Discharge, at the time of his discharge; however, he was 
unsuccessful at that time in getting the PH updated on his form. 
He is now 90 years old and would like to be officially recognized 
for receiving the PH medal. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal 
statement, copies of newspaper articles and photos, a copy of his 
WD AGO Form 53-55, a copy of his general orders, a copy of his 
Discharge Certificate, and a copy of the Army Review Boards 
Agency correction package. 

 

His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 


STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps who served 
on active duty from 18 Jul 41 through 26 May 45, as an airplane 
armorer-gunner. He participated in the Central Pacific and 
Northern Solomon’s Campaign; Mandated Islands Campaign, Bismarck 
Archipelago and New Guinea Campaign. 

 

The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55, issued in conjunction with his 
honorable discharge on 26 May 45, reflects he had no wounds 
received in action. The same form notes he was awarded the 
Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with 1 Silver Star and 1 Bronze Star, a 
Unit Citation Badge, an Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, an 
American Defense Ribbon with Bronze Star. 

 

In accordance with Army Regulation (AR) 600-45, Decorations, 
dated 22 Sep 43, during the period in question, the PH was 
awarded for wounds received in action against an enemy of the 
United States, or as a direct result of an enemy action, provided 
such wound necessitated treatment by a medical officer. For the 
purpose of awarding the PH, a wound was defined as an injury to 
any part of the body from an outside force, element, or agent, 
sustained as the result of a hostile act of the enemy, or while 
in action in the face of the enemy. When a person eligible for 
award of the PH was treated for a wound, the commanding officer 
of the hospital, or the medical officer who treated the wound, 
furnished the commanding officer of the wounded person a 
certificate briefly describing the nature of the wound, and 
certifying the necessity of treatment. In addition, a wounded 
soldier’s unsupported statement could be accepted in unusual or 
extenuating circumstances when, in the opinion of the officer 
making the award, no corroborative evidence was obtainable. 
However, the statement would be substantiated if possible. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states that after a 
thorough review of the applicant’s record, there is no special 
order, recommendation, or any other evidence in the applicant’s 
official military records to support he was submitted for or 
awarded the PH medal. Futhermore, DPSIDR notes that the 
applicant states his injuries were not incurred as a direct 
result of enemy action; the applicant’s injuries were received 
after the fact as a result of a crash landing. 

 

The DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 


 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 
on 14 Jan 11 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this 
date, this office has received no response. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 an error or injustice. After a 
thorough review of the available evidence and applicant’s 
complete submission, we find no evidence that his records should 
be corrected to show he was awarded the PH. As such, we agree 
with the opinion and recommendation of the 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. The applicant’s honorable service is noted. 
Regrettably, we do not find the evidence submitted is sufficient 
to recommend granting the requested relief. 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2010-03692 in Executive Session on 7 Apr 11, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

, Member 

 , Member 

 


The following documentary evidence for Docket Number BC-2010-
03692 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Apr 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 29 Dec 10. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Jan 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair