RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-03587
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Purple
Heart (PH) Medal.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
In Feb 52, while assigned to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, he
was loading bombs with his Crew Chief on a B-26 Marauder and was
hit in the head and knocked unconscious by his Crew Chiefs rack
due to it not being secured. His Crew Chief told him that he
was going to submit the documentation for him to receive the PH
Medal.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicants military personnel records indicate he enlisted
in the Regular Air Force on 2 Jan 51.
On 27 Dec 54, the applicant was honorably discharged and was
credited with 3 years, 11 months, and 26 days of total active
service.
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are
described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of
primary responsibility, which is attached at Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of
an error or an injustice. There is no evidence the applicants
wound was a direct result of enemy action and he has not
provided any medical documentation verifying treatment was
required and received. In fact, the applicants statement
indicated that his injury occurred as a result of negligence by
his crew chief, not the result of enemy action.
The PH Medal 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 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 members medical and/or health record.
A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the
applicant on 13 Jan 14 for review and comment within 30 days.
As of this date, no response has been received by this office
(Exhibit D).
________________________________________________________________
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. 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
and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.
Therefore, 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 the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the
application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2013-03587 in Executive Session on 17 Apr 14, under
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 22 Jul 13, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 17 Oct 13.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 Jan 14.
Panel Chair
3
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