RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-01868
				INDEX CODE:  107.00
	APPLICANT 	COUNSEL:  None

	SSN		HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Purple Heart (PH).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was wounded in 1945 after an aircraft accident in a bomb dump.

Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served on active duty from 16 Sep 42 to 20 Nov 45 as a firefighter.

On 2 Feb 45, the applicant was struck by a bomb fragment in his back, during a bomb dump explosion.  He was hospitalized for approximately two to three weeks.  Information from a hospital admission card indicates that the injuries he sustained were consistent with a puncture or stab wound.  The point of entrance of the injury was the abdominal wall, pelvis and back.  The injury did not cause any nerve or artery damage and his injuries were not received during battle.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR states there is no evidence in the applicant's record to substantiate that the injury he received was a direct result of enemy action.

DPPPR forwarded the applicant the criteria required for award of the PH.  They requested he provide additional information which would substantiate his receiving the PH.  The applicant did not respond to their request.

Based on the information provided, DPPPR recommends denying the applicant's request.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 5 Oct 01, for review and response.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.  

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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 probable error or injustice.  We noted the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of his case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force and adopt their rationale as the basis for our decision that the applicant has failed to provide persuasive evidence of an injury meeting the criteria for award of the Purple Heart.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of probable 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.

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 14 February 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:       

			     Panel Chair
				Member
				Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 2 Jul 01, w/atch.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 24 Sep 01.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 5 Oct 01.