RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-05227
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH).
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
One night in October 1953 his flight was on a mission over China
when they came under attack. Flak struck the number 2 engine
and caused it to explode. He lost two teeth, suffered a large
cut on his neck and had a headache for days afterwards. The
dentist was able to replace one tooth but the other was lost.
His Captain said he would receive a Purple Heart but he never
did. He thought there would never be a chance to remedy this
until his grandson, a U.S. Army Captain, told him otherwise.
His full record was lost in the 1973 fire at the National
Personnel Records Center (NPRC).
In support of his request, the applicant submits a letter from
NPRC and copies of his health and dental records.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicants military personnel records were located in the
area most heavily damaged in the fire at the National Personnel
Records Center (NPRC) in 1973.
The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who
was honorably discharged in the grade of First Lieutenant on
9 May 1961.
______________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
1. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states there is no
special order, recommendation, or a certificate in the
applicant's personnel records indicating he was recommended for
or awarded the Purple Heart. Furthermore, there is insufficient
documentation verifying the applicant received a wound as a
result of enemy action and received medical treatment.
2. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the United States
Armed Forces who have been wounded, killed, or who have died or
may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy
of the United States or opposing force as a result of an act of
any such enemy or opposing armed force, an international
terrorist attack or during military operations while serving as
a part of a peacekeeping force. A wound for which the award is
made must have required treatment, not merely examination, by a
medical officer. Additionally, treatment of the wound shall be
documented in the service member's medical and/or health record.
Award of the Purple Heart may be made for wounds treated by a
medical professional other than a medical officer, provided a
medical officer includes a statement in the service member's
medical record that the extent of the wounds were such that they
would have required treatment by a medical officer if one had
been available to treat them.
The complete AFPC/DPSID evaluation, with attachments, is at
exhibit C.
______________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force Evaluation was forwarded to the
applicant on 24 February 2013 for review and comment within
30 days (Exhibit D). To date, a response has not been received.
________________________________________________________________
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 in judging the merits of
the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation
of the Air Force office of primary responsibility that there is
insufficient evidence in the applicants record verifying he
received a wound as a result of enemy action, received medical
treatment, and was recommended for award of the Purple Heart.
Therefore, in the absence of such evidence, 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 this application
in Executive Session on, 22 August 2013 under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
, Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR
Docket Number BC-2012-05227:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149 dated 22 Oct 2012, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicants Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 11 Feb 2013.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Feb 2013.
Chair
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