RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: 01-02669

	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH).

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The applicant states that while on a mission on 26 June 1943, he was shot down over France and was injured (i.e., struck in the face when his oxygen tank hit him, suffered a severe nosebleed, and a wrenched back and turned ankle) when he landed after bailing out of his aircraft.  He was classified as being Missing-in-Action (MIA) until 3 January 1944, during which time he remained in hiding and repeatedly evaded capture.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Corps Reserve on 12 December 1942 and entered active duty.

The applicant was assigned to the 384th Bomb Squadron as a B-17F bombardier in the European Theater of Operation during the period 23 May 1943 through 17 February 1944.

While on a bombing mission to the Airdrome at Villay-Coublay, France, on 26 June 1943, his aircraft was shot down.  He was placed in a Missing-in-Action (MIA) during the period 26 June 1943 through 3 January 1944.

The applicant’s request for the PH was staffed through the Purple Heart Review Board (PHRB).  The PHRB denied his request due to a lack of documentation to substantiate his claim of injury as a direct result of enemy action and the lack of medical documentation.

The PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy action (i.e., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat wounds, forced aircraft bail out injuries, etc.) that required or received treatment by medical personnel. 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPR recommends the application be denied.  AFPC/DPPR states, in part, that the applicant has not provided any documentation to substantiate his claim for the PH.  Although the applicant suffered injuries, there is no indication that he received treatment by medical personnel, or that his injuries were received as a direct result of enemy action.

The AFPC/DPPR evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 5 April 2002 for review and response within 30 days.  However, 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  In this respect, we note that while on a mission over France on 26 June 1943, the applicant’s aircraft was shot down by the enemy and he was injured (i.e., struck in the face when his oxygen tank hit him, suffered a severe nosebleed, and a wrenched back and turned ankle) during the forced bail out from his aircraft.  When he landed in France he remained in hiding and repeatedly evaded capture and was classified as being Missing-in-Action (MIA) until 3 January 1944.  Based on the severity of his injuries we find it apparent that his injuries would have required medical treatment. In view of this, we believe that sufficient evidence has been presented to show that the injuries incurred by the applicant were as a direct result of enemy action and that his wounds required/received medical treatment.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

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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 received in action against an enemy of the United States during a mission in France on 26 June 1943.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 01‑02669 in Executive Session on 2 May 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
               Panel Chair
				Member
				Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 Aug 01, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 27 Feb 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Apr 02.

                                   

AFBCMR 01-02669

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed 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 received in action against an enemy of the United States during a mission in France on 26 June 1943.