RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-01796
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart Medal.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

On 28 Sep 44, he was forced to bail out of a crippled B-17 aircraft, breaking his ankle when he landed.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided copies of his separation document and medical examination.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Army of the United States (Air Corps) on 27 Oct 1942.

Available documentation provided by counsel indicates that on 3 Oct 44, the applicant fractured his right ankle during a forced parachuting from a plane over France.

Applicant was honorably discharged on 11 Jun 45 under the provisions of AR 615-365 (Convenience of the Government).  He was credited with 2 years, 7 months, and 15 days of active service, of which 9 months and 28 days were foreign service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommended denial indicating the applicant did not provide sufficient documentation to support his claim.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

By letter, dated 25 Oct 04 (sic), the applicant’s counsel provided additional documentary evidence for the Board’s consideration, which is attached 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  After a thorough review of the evidence presented, we are persuaded that corrective action is warranted.  In this respect, we note the Purple Heart Medal is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of enemy actions (e.g., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand wounds, forced aircraft bail-out injuries, etc.).  We believe the applicant has provided sufficient documentation to support his assertion he was injured after he was forced to bail out of a plane over France in 1944.  Accordingly, we recommend his records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart Medal.

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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 he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for injuries he received during a forced parachuting from a plane over France on 3 Oct 44.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-01796 in Executive Session on 22 Sep 04, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

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

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 2 Jun 04, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 28 Jul 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letters, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Aug 04.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, in applicant’s behalf, dated 25 Oct 04
				 (sic), w/atch.

AFBCMR BC-2004-01796

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 , be corrected to show he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for injuries he received during a forced parachuting from a plane over France on 3 Oct 44.