RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-01702
INDEX CODE:  107.00 
	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX				COUNSEL: NONE

	XXXXXXXXXX					HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

His records be corrected to show he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was awarded with the Purple Heart Medal at Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam, after being shot in the left chest on 8 August 1968.  He wore the Purple Heart Medal for the next three years while on active duty.  He made lieutenant colonel below the zone and was wearing the Purple Heart Ribbon in his file photo on 24 November 1971.  During a recent review of his records, he discovered the Purple Heart was not listed on his DD Form 214, Report of Separation From Active Duty.  

In support of his application, the applicant provides a personal statement and pertinent copies of his military service records.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Prior to joining the Air Force, the applicant served as an enlisted member in the Navy Reserve from 25 August 1943 to 25 March 1946.  He served 2 years, 7 months, and 1 day of active duty while in the Navy Reserve.  On 4 September 1956, the applicant was appointed a first lieutenant, Reserve of the Air Force (ResAF), and was ordered to active duty on 26 October 1956.  The applicant served in the Nursing career field in the Air Force and was progressively promoted to the permanent grade of lieutenant colonel effective 1 October 1972.  The applicant served in the Republic of Vietnam from 1 November 1967 to 29 October 1968.  His DD Form 214, Report of Separation From Active Duty, reflects his awards as the Bronze Service Medal with “V” device, Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Health Decoration, National Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters, European-Africa-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the Air Force Reserve Medal.

The applicant’s available military medical records indicate that, on 8 August 1968, he sustained a superficial gunshot wound of the left chest while stationed at Binh Thuy Air Base, Republic of Vietnam.  After his initial treatment at Binh Thuy Air Base, he was transferred the next day to Cam Rahn Bay Air Force Hospital for further treatment.

The applicant was honorably released from active duty on 31 March 1974 and retired for years of service, effective 1 April 1974.  He served a total of 20 years and 6 days on active duty.  

On 12 July 1999, the applicant wrote to the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) requesting his DD Form 214 be corrected to add the award of the Purple Heart Medal.  On 5 August 1999, AFPC Recognition Programs Branch responded to the applicant indicating they were unable to verify his entitlement to the Purple Heart Medal and provided him with a list of the criteria on which award of the Purple Heart is based.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial.  DPPPR states that even though the applicant’s medical record indicates he was treated for wounds to his chest sustained on 8 August 1968, there is no evidence stating he was wounded as a direct result of enemy action.  In addition, there is no evidence to prove that he was ever awarded the Purple Heart Medal.  Without the necessary information and documentation to substantiate the applicant’s claim, they are not able to verify his eligibility for award of the Purple Heart Medal.  The DPPPR evaluation 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 the applicant on 16 July 2004, for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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.  After a thorough review of the available records, we found no evidence that the individual is eligible for the award of the Purple Heart Medal.  According to the evidence presented, the applicant received medical treatment on 8 August 1968 for a superficial gunshot wound of the left chest while stationed at Binh Thuy Air Base, Republic of Vietnam.  The applicant did not provide any documentary evidence to substantiate his claim that he was wounded in action as a direct result of enemy action, or that he was recommended for, or awarded, the Purple Heart Medal.  The personal sacrifice the applicant endured for his country is noted and the recommendation to deny the requested relief in no way diminishes the high regard we have for his service.  Nevertheless, in view of the above, we find no basis to favorably consider 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 this application in Executive Session on 15 September 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2004-01702 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 May 04, with attachments.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPR, dated 8 Jul 04.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Jul 04.