RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02388 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH). 

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

While assigned in Vietnam, his unit suffered a mortar attack 
resulting in numerous casualties. Personnel who reported to the 
base clinic were submitted for the PH. He was knocked down by a 
blast, but did not feel he was seriously injured and joined in 
fighting the fires, as it was one of his duties. He fought 
fires until the next evening when his commander sent him to bed. 
When he woke up, his leg was painful and bruised. The next 
morning he went to the clinic and discovered his leg was broken. 
The clinic did not put him on the list for the PH because two 
days had passed since the mortar attack. 

 

His supervisor, who was due to depart Vietnam in Dec 66, told 
him he deserved the PH and said he would submit him for the 
award. 

 

His supervisor showed him a copy of his airman performance 
report (APR) and the PH submission and explained that he did not 
have enough time to complete the process prior to his departure; 
however, his new supervisor would “walk” the paperwork through. 

 

He departed Ton Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam on 2 Feb 
67. When he arrived at Mather AFB, CA, he discovered his APR 
was changed from a 10 to a 6 rating and the PH paperwork was 
missing. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal 
statement, copies of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or 
Discharge from Active Duty, his retirement orders, and a 
personal statement from his wife. 

 

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

 


STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force 
from 21 Jan 63 to 31 Jan 91 and retired in the grade of senior 
master sergeant (SMSgt). 

 

His DD Form 214 reflects 28 years of total active service, which 
includes 13 years, 5 months, and 23 days of Foreign Service. 

 

He served with the 377th Civil Engineering Squadron, Tan Son Nhut 
Air Base, Republic of Vietnam from Feb 66 to Feb 67. 

 

The PH is awarded for wounds or death as a result of an act of 
any opposing armed force, as a result of an international 
terrorist attack or as a result of military operations while 
serving as part of a peacekeeping force. 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.) 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. A detailed personal account of the circumstances 
surrounding the injury is required to include specifics as to 
how the injury occurred, exact date of injury, unit of 
assignment, and rank held at the time of the injury. If 
possible, an eyewitness account should be provided from 
individuals who saw the injury and can attest to the 
circumstances surrounding the personal account. 

 

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. DPSIDR states they were unable 
to locate a certificate or special order for the PH. 

 

DPSIDR states the applicant provided a detailed statement 
describing the circumstances surrounding his injury, however 
there was no date given and no eyewitness statements provided. 
DPSIDR states that although his wife made a statement, it was 
second hand and based on the applicant’s statement. DPSIDR 
states they were unable to locate medical documentation in the 
applicant’s military personnel file that supports a claim of an 
injury he sustained in Vietnam. 

 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant provided an eye witness statement that 
corroborates the events surrounding his injury. 

 

The eyewitness states he was a friend and co-worker while they 
were both stationed at Ton Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of 
Vietnam from 66 to 67. He recalls the dorm they lived in was at 
the end of the taxiway when a mortar attack in 66 hit the Civil 
Engineering compound, the taxiway, and a JP4 (jet propellant) 
tank. The witness states they were called to work between 
2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. to assist in fighting the fire caused by 
the attack. Many people, including the applicant, who sustained 
a leg injury, were wounded. He states the applicant did not 
seek medical assistance until several days after the attack. 

 

The eye witness states that the applicant’s supervisor submitted 
him for award of the PH; however, the paperwork never made it to 
the appropriate office for finalization. He hopes his statement 
will help the applicant receive the honor he deserves. 

 

The applicant states he could not provide a certificate or 
special order for the PH because his supervisor during the last 
month of his assignment in Vietnam disposed of the PH paperwork 
prepared by his previous supervisor of 11 months. 

 

He also states he cannot recall the exact day of the attack that 
occurred at Ton Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, but the 
base was only attacked once or twice in 66. The Petroleum, Oil, 
and Lubricants (POL) tank area was attacked only once in 66. He 
states this should not be difficult to verify since he was 
injured during this attack. 

 

Regarding medical documentation, the applicant states he was 
treated for his injuries at the base clinic. He was given an 
x-ray and placed in a cast for eight weeks. He states this 
should be in his military medical records and does not feel this 
is difficult to verify. 

 

Although he had multiple injuries, he thought they would heal. 
However, after many years his injuries have progressively become 
worse. According to the applicant, the Veterans Medical Center 
in XXXXXXX, FL, advised him both shoulders and knees require 
replacement. He states he has been granted military connected 
disability for his shoulders and knees. 

 

The applicant’s complete response, with attachment, 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 an error or injustice. After a 
thorough review of the available evidence of record, we are not 
persuaded the applicant should be awarded the PH Medal. Although 
the applicant provided a witness statement to corroborate his 
claim, there was no evidence presented which confirms that he was 
medically treated for any wounds incurred as a direct result of 
enemy fire. While the applicant states he was treated for his 
injuries at the base clinic and placed in a cast for eight weeks, 
we did not find any documents in his medical records to reflect 
this. Should he secure supporting medical documentation, we would 
be willing to reconsider this application. Otherwise, without 
persuasive evidence he was wounded as a direct result of enemy 
action, we find no basis to recommend favorable consideration of 
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 AFBCMR BC-2011-
02388 in Executive Session on 8 Mar 12, under the provisions of 
AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

, Member 

 , Member 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-
2011-02388: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Jun 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDR dated 5 Dec 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Dec 11. 

 Exhibit E. Rebuttal, Applicant, dated 10 Jan 12 w/atch. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair