RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-03522 INDEX CODE: 107.00 XXXXXXX XX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal due to injuries sustained during World War II (WWII). ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: During WWII, on 8 Mar 44, he was on a daylight mission to Berlin, Germany, when his B-17 bomber came under fire and two of the four engines were disabled; fire broke out, and the crew had to bail out. The shock from his parachute opening fractured his pelvis and as soon as he landed he was captured and spent 14 months as a Prisoner of War (POW). During the last three months of his incarceration, he was on a forced march, living off the land. They were chained in pairs to fellow POWs and forced to march under threat of German bayonet and rifle butt. Upon his return stateside, he was given a medical exam. He informed the doctor of his leg and lower back pain. However, no x- rays were taken and the doctor did not enter any complaints of his pain or fractured pelvis in his medical records. After his discharge, he went through a medical evaluation at the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), which indicated a fractured pelvis. When asked what happened, he stated the injury was the result of the forced bailout from the burning B-17. In support of his appeal, applicant provided a personal statement, along with an inquiry to his member of congress. Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ___________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: Applicant enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 15 Dec 42. He was progressively promoted to the grade of Technical Sergeant. On 7 Nov 45, applicant was honorably discharged and credited with 2 years, 10 months, and 23 days of active duty, including 1 year, 5 months, and 29 days of foreign service. He was awarded the American Theater Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Medal, with One Silver Battle Star; Good Conduct Medal; Air Medal, with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Victory Medal. On 5 Mar 08, applicant’s record was administratively corrected to include award of the Prisoner of War Medal, for the period of 8 Mar – 6 May 45, while a POW in Germany. ___________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPSIDR reviewed this application and recommended denial, stating, in part, that the applicant’s request for the PH was considered and denied by the Purple Heart Review Board (PHRB). To be awarded the PH, there must be documentation (detailed account, eyewitness statements, and medical documentation) to show the wounds were a direct result of enemy action. HQ AFPC/DPSIDR’s complete evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C. ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 28 Mar 08 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). ___________________________________________________________________ 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. 4. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. The evidence before us indicates that on 8 March 1944, while on a bombing mission in Germany, the applicant received injuries to his back; resulting from the shock he received from the parachute opening, after two of the four engines went out on the B-17, when it came under fire from enemy forces, subsequently resulting in his capture and imprisonment for 14 months. The Board particularly notes the applicant was a POW, who was in captivity at STALAG IV, and was forced to march during the infamous “Death March,” in 1944. This time period has been known for the ill treatment of POWs. Therefore, after a thorough review of the applicant’s complete submission and based on his time spent in German captivity, we recommend he be awarded the Purple Heart. We considered the comments by the office of primary responsibility; nonetheless, after considering all the evidence presented, we are convinced the injuries he sustained were a direct result of enemy action. Therefore, in recognition of his service to the Nation during a period of national emergency and to preclude any possibility of an injustice to the applicant, we recommend his record be corrected to the extent indicated below. ___________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for injuries he received in action against an enemy of the United States during a mission in March 1944. ___________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2007-03522 in Executive Session on 12 June 2008, 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 22 Nov 05, w/atchs Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 4 Mar 08. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Mar 08. AFBCMR BC-2007-03522 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 XXXXXXXXXX., XXXXXXX, be corrected to show that he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for injuries he received in action against an enemy of the United States during a mission in March 1944.