RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-03285
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL: 

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

During World War II, on 28 July 1945 he was injured while in the turret of the airplane.  He still has the metal and shrapnel in his leg.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided copies of pages from his journal regarding the 28 July 1945 flight and other documentation.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

During the time period in question the applicant enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 16 November 1943.

According to the applicant’s WD AGO Form 38 (Report of Physical Examination of Enlisted Personnel Prior to Discharge, Release from Active Duty or Retirement) there is no reference to the applicant having been wounded or injured.

On 15 November 1945, the applicant was honorably discharged in the grade of staff sergeant under the provisions of AR 615-365 RR 1-1 (Convenience of the Government/Demobilization).

The applicant received the following awards: the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater with 4 Bronze Stars, and the World War II Victory Medal.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommended denial.  They indicated that this case was not presented to the Purple Heart Review Board because of insufficient information/documentation to verify eligibility.  Applicant has not provided any documentation showing that he received any wounds or injuries during World War II, and the medical records available only show that he was hospitalized at Camp Shelby, MS in 1944 for pneumonia, at Laughlin Field, TX in May 1944 for appendicitis, and on Okinawa in September 1945 for Psychoneurosis (4 days).  Applicant provided a copy of pages he stated were from his journal regarding the flight on 28 July 1945.  There is no mention of his having been hit by shrapnel or anything else.  All medical documents and his Report of Separation reflect that the applicant received no wounds or injuries while in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

The evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 17 January 2003, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within thirty (30) days.  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 error or 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.  According to the applicant’s available medical records, the documentation that he provided, and his Report of Separation, there are no indications that he received any wounds or injuries                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          or specifically, that he was hit by shrapnel, during World War II.  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 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 02-03285 in Executive Session on 6 March 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 October 2002, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 10 January 2003,
		       w/atchs.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 January 2003.