ADDENDUM TO
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-03243
		INDEX CODE:  107.00
		COUNSEL:  NO

		HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

In the applicant's appeal for reconsideration, he requests his records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Purple Heart (PH) for head injuries he sustained during a rocket attack.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant while stationed in Vietnam was injured during a rocket attack when an 85-pound speaker fell off the shelf and hit him in the head.

The applicant's request for award of the PH was considered and denied by the Board on 26 June 2003.  For an accounting of the facts and circumstances surrounding the applicant's eligibility for receiving the requested decoration, and the rationale of the earlier decision by the Board, see the Record of Proceedings, with attachments, at Exhibit F.

On 27 June 2003, the applicant submitted a letter via Senator Domenici’s office requesting reconsideration of his request to be awarded the PH.  The applicant provided with his request a notarized copy of a letter from his commanding officer at the time of the incident (Exhibit G).

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

After careful consideration of the applicant’s reconsideration request and the documentation he submitted, we are not persuaded to override the Board's original decision.  The statement from his former commander is duly noted; however, this statement in our opinion does not provide persuasive information to substantiate the applicant’s injuries were a result of direct enemy action and therefore it doesn’t meet the criteria for award of the PH.  As noted by the Air Staff not all service-connected conditions were caused by the enemy.  We wish to reiterate that 
this decision in no way diminishes the applicant's service and sacrifices to the Nation during this time period.  However, in the absence of evidence to the contrary we find no compelling basis to warrant favorable consideration of 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2002-03243 in Executive Session on 2 October 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:
The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit F.	Record of Proceedings, 26 Jun 03, w/atchs.
	Exhibit G.	Applicant’s Reconsideration Request, dated 27 Jun 03, w/atchs.