RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-01998
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The Purple Heart that he was awarded is not recorded in his discharge documents or the wounds he received.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided a personal statement, Honorable Discharge Certificate, dated 18 October 1945, and WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant’s military personnel records were destroyed by fire in 1973 at the National Personnel Record Center (NPRC).  Therefore, the facts surrounding his claim of being wounded in action and hospitalized cannot be verified.  Also, there are no medical records with the applicant’s name on file at the VA.

The available records indicate the applicant enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 1 March 1943.

On 18 October 1945, the applicant was honorably discharged in the grade of technical sergeant under the provisions of AR 615-365 Convenience of the Government/Demobilization.

Awards received during his enlistment are the Air Medal with four (4) Oak Leaf Clusters (OLCs), Good Conduct Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Ribbon with five (5) Bronze Stars.

On 23 January 2003 the applicant was notified by HQ AFPC/DPPRSP that there was an error on his WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation-Honorable Discharge.  The American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal have been added to the applicant’s Report of Separation.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommended denial.  They indicated that the applicant has not provided any information regarding a wound received as a   direct result of enemy action.  His Report of Separation shows “None” in Item 34, Wounds Received in Action.

The evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the evaluation and indicated that on 24 June 1944 his flight was directed to Ploesti, Rumania; however, upon approaching the target it was so utterly overcast that they were ordered to proceed to the secondary target - Craiova.  During a bomber strike mission to Craiova the B-24 bomber ship #322 was sufficiently damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire over target to be forced to ditch in the Adriatic Sea upon its attempt to return to base.  As a result, eight members survived with minor to major wounds while sadly their navigator and bomber officers perished on impact.  After a few hours at sea in life rafts, they were located and rescued by a Navy PBY and immediately flown to a military hospital in Foggia, Italy.  The second day in the hospital with wounds to his forehead and a concussion to his right ear, he was handed the Purple Heart decoration.  He indicates that while attempting to submit documentation for Veterans Hospital benefits assistance, he realized the details of his military records did not show award of his Purple Heart.

Applicant’s complete response, with attachment, is at Exhibit E.

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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 an error or an injustice warranting award of the Purple Heart Medal.  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 and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  We note the applicant’s records were destroyed by fire in 1973 at the NPRC.  Therefore, there is no indication in the applicant’s medical or personnel records to substantiate that he had been injured as a direct result of enemy action.  Also, his separation physical shows “None” in Item 34, Wounds Received in Action.  AFPC/DPPPR advised the applicant that there were no personnel records or any medical records at the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).  He was asked to provide documentation to substantiate his claim for award of the Purple Heart Medal.  We note that, to date, the applicant has not provided documentation to substantiate his claim.  Should the applicant provide documentation indicating that he was wounded as a direct result of enemy action, the Board would be inclined to review this case again for possible reconsideration.  Further, we note that AFPC/DPPPR has indicated that the applicant is entitled to the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal, and these awards have been added to the applicant’s record.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of an error or an 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 AFBCMR Docket Number 02-01998 in Executive Session on 20 March 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 18 June 2002, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Available Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 14 January 2003, w/atch.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 January 2003.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 6 February 2003, w/atch.

					   Panel Chair