AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-02232
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
IN THE MATTER OF:
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He flew in a helicopter that rescued crewmembers from a burning
B-52; the helicopter crew ensured that all crewmembers were
evacuated. He notes that the helicopter crew received the flight
time designator for a combat flight.
The applicant does not provide any documentation in support of
his request.
His complete submission is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the
United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United
States who, while serving under competent authority in any
capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917,
has been wounded or killed either as a direct result of enemy
action or while engaged in action against the enemy. Specific
examples of services which warrant the Purple Heart include any
action against an enemy of the United States; any action with an
opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed
Forces of the United States are or have been engaged; while
serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict
against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not
a belligerent party; as a result of an act of any such enemy of
opposing armed forces; or as the result of an act of any hostile
foreign force.
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the
Air Force, which is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial stating that they were unable to
locate any official documentation in the applicant’s official
military personnel records that verifies he received wounds on 19
Jul 69. Additionally, the applicant’s Distinguished Flying Cross
citation indicates he was on a rescue mission of a downed B-52
and following the successful evacuation of the aircrew, the bomb
load of the burning aircraft exploded and the helicopter that the
applicant was on was fatally struck by debris. While his actions
were heroic during the mission, there is no indication that there
was enemy involvement.
The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant and his spouse responded with regard to his wounds
that were received on 19 Jul 69, which are provided below:
1. He sustained severe and life threatening injuries while
serving in the Vietnam War as a pararescueman. While on a rescue
mission his helicopter was hit by the exploding ordinances of the
B-52 that crashed during a mission against the enemy. He was the
only survivor of his crew and spent almost two years recovering
after the incident.
2. He sustained severe head injuries, multiple broken bones,
blast injury to lungs, and his face was flattened and is not
recognizable as the former member. He underwent more than
40 surgeries to rebuild his body.
3. His box of personal items contained the PH Medal, which
he has proudly displayed all these years. However, he could not
find the commendation that accompanies the award.
The applicant’s complete submission, 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to
demonstrate the existence of an injustice. After carefully
reviewing the facts and circumstances of this case, we believe
the applicant's request to be awarded the Purple Heart should be
granted. Based on the available evidence, it appears his life
threatening injuries resulted from a burning aircraft which was
shot down by the enemy. The governing criterion for award of the
PH requires the individual to have received a wound or injury as
a direct result of enemy action or while engaged in action
against an enemy. We believe the applicant’s injuries clearly
met this latter criterion as evidenced by the statement from his
spouse indicating that he has in his possession the actual PH
Medal that he was awarded and the 1973 statement from the
Commander of the 43rd Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron indicating
the applicant received the PH. Accordingly, in view of the above
and in recognition of the applicant’s service to our nation, we
recommend his records be corrected to as indicated below.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force
relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded
the Purple Heart for injuries he received in action against an
enemy of the United States while participating in aerial flight
as a pararescueman in Thailand on 19 July 1969.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket
Number BC-2012-02232 in Executive Session on 25 Oct 12, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence for Docket Number BC-2012-02232 was
considered:
, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 1 Mar 12, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 17 Aug 12.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Aug 12.
Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 9 Sep 12, w/atchs
Panel Chair
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