RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-04050 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His official records be corrected to show he was awarded the: 1. Prisoner of War (POW) Medal. (Administratively corrected) 2. Purple Heart (PH) Medal. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served as a Ball Turret Gunner during World War II. On 23 Feb 44, while returning from a mission over Germany, his aircraft was struck by enemy fire, and he suffered burns on the toes of his right foot due to a short circuit in his heated boots. In addition, he had a small piece of flack in his left shoulder. He was initially grounded by the doctor. On 25 Feb 44, while on a mission over Yugoslavia, his aircraft was hit by flack, and the entire crew was forced to bail out. He was captured and held as a German POW in Stalag Luft VI. He suffered from Diphtheria, swollen feet and Achilles tendons, and had a severely infected foot from athlete’s foot. During his internment he was forced to march through the elements and sleep outdoors for over 80 days. He suffered frost bite, dysentery, malnutrition, and had lice. Because he was a prisoner, they did not keep medical records documenting his physical condition. He has suffered many years of physical pain and mental stress from his imprisonment. Today, his forearms and upper arms ache so badly he can’t lift them at times. His feet ache all the time and the frostbite on his hands still bothers him. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides an expanded statement about his experience and copies of his discharge paperwork. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant entered the Army Air Corps on 20 Nov 1942 and was a POW in Germany from 25 Feb 44 to 26 Apr 45. He was honorably discharged on 27 Sep 45. On 27 Feb 1950, a witness who saw the applicant while he was a POW submitted a statement to his official file attesting to the applicant’s physical condition during his internment. On 27 Aug 88, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) awarded him a 30 percent disability rating for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and 40 percent disability rating for peripheral neuropathy associated with frostbite. On 23 Jun 11, AFPC/DPWC notified the applicant of their determination that his status as a POW had been confirmed for the period 25 Feb 44 though 22 May 45. On 15 Jul 11, AFPC/DPSIDRA notified the applicant of their determination of his entitlement to the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal, the American Campaign Medal (ACM), and the World War II Victor Medal (WWIIVM) and corrected his records administratively. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the PH Medal, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. While the applicant provided a detailed account of his time as a POW, he did not provide any official medical documentation to support his claim. While the applicant provides a long list of aches and pains, it is not clear for what injury he is seeking the PH. A review of the applicant’s records did not locate any official documentation verifying that the applicant received an injury as a direct result of enemy action that required or would have required medical treatment. A complete copy of AFPC/DPSIDRA’s evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 24 Feb 12, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 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. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. 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 office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-04050 in Executive Session on xxx, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-04050 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 Oct 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 15 Jul 11. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRB, dated 24 Feb 2012.