RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-02377
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) and the Bronze Star (BS).
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He is entitled to the PH and BS for combat action on 1 July 1965.

In support of his request, applicant submits a statement from a former member of the Air Police and electronic correspondence.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant contracted his enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 23 Jun 61 in the grade of airman basic (E-1) for a period of 4 years.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of airman first class (E-4), with an effective date and date of rank of 1 Oct 64.

On 11 Jan 65, the applicant departed for an unaccompanied tour to Korea.  Effective 15 Apr 65, he was assigned to the 6167 Support Squadron, Kimpo Air Base, Korea, as an air policeman.  Departing 10 Apr 65, he was TDY for 96 days.  On 1 Jul 65, the applicant was treated at the DaNang Air Base Dispensary, Vietnam, for “anxiety following seeing buddy killed in attack.”

The applicant was released from active duty in the grade of E-4 and transferred to the Air Force Reserve on 22 Mar 66.  At the time of his separation, he had completed a total of 4 years and 9 months of service, which included 1 year, 7 months and 24 days of foreign service.  He was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM) and the Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA).  On 22 Jun 67, he was relieved from his Air Force Reserve assignment and honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve.
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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied.  DPPPR indicated that the applicant was notified on 11 Oct 01 of the criteria for award of the PH and BS.  He was requested to provide additional information which would substantiate his claim; however, he did not respond to this request.  DPPPR stated that there is no evidence in the applicant’s military personnel records to support he was awarded the BS or that he was injured as a direct result of enemy action.  The HQ AFPC/DPPPR evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.
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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to applicant on 28 December 2001 for review and response.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).
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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 took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case.  With respect to the Purple Heart, we note that the applicant has been asked by the Air Force office of primary responsibility to provide additional information that would indicate his injuries met the criteria for the Purple Heart, but he has failed to do so.  As to the Bronze Star, no documentary evidence has been presented to indicate that a recommendation for award of the Bronze Star was officially submitted or that such a recommendation was improperly denied.  In the absence of documentary evidence substantiating the applicant’s contentions, we do not find the evidence provided establishes that the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice.  The personal sacrifice the applicant endured for his country is noted and our decision should in no way lessen his service.  However, in view of the above, 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 Docket Number 01‑02377 in Executive Session on 20 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 17 Aug 01, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 18 Dec 01, w/atch.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Dec 01.