RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03228 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

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THE APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal. 

 

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He received a gunshot injury on 22 Jun 44; during the attack, 
his aircraft was shot down. His wound was treated in Germany, 
so no military medical records are available. He still bears 
the scars for his wounds today. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides copies of 
letters of inquiry with the National Personnel Record Center 
(NPRC); extracts of his reconstructed records; his WG ADO 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, issued in conjunction 
with his 9 Nov 45 discharge. 

 

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

 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Army Air Forces, on 17 Apr 43, he 
was progressively promoted to the grade of staff sergeant 
E-5/SSgt. During this period, he served as an airplane armorer 
gunner; he completed combat missions and participated in the 
Northern France, Normandy, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Air 
Offensive Europe campaigns. He was honorably discharged from 
active duty on 9 Nov 45. 

 

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THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial, stating, in part, that they were 
unable to locate any evidence concerning a wound. 

 

The PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of 
enemy actions (i.e., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand 


combat wounds, forced aircraft bail out injuries, etc.). In 
addition, it is necessary the wounds required or received 
treatment by medical personnel. Indirect injuries do not meet 
the criteria for the award of the PH. These include, but are 
not limited to, injuries received while seeking shelter from 
mortar or rocket attacks, aircraft bombings, grenades, and 
injuries incurred while serving as an aircraft member in a 
passenger status as a result of the aircraft’s evasive measures 
against hostile fire. 

 

DPSIDR was unable to locate and the applicant did not provide, a 
certificate or special order for the PH. He did not provide a 
detailed statement describing the circumstances concerning his 
injury. While there appear to be several statements in the 
application, they are all second hand knowledge. There are no 
eyewitness statements available as the remainder of the crew is 
deceased. 

 

There are medical interviews in his records where he mentioned 
his injury, and some of the circumstances concerning it, but 
nothing in the immediate post war period from 1945 to 1948. He 
had medical complaints during this period, but nothing 
concerning the injury as he now describes it. They were unable 
to locate medical records describing the scar or any mention of 
a wound. In addition, the applicant signed his WD AGO Form 53-
55, even though the section for wounds (block 34) indicated that 
he did not receive any wounds during his active service. 

 

The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 9 Dec 11 for review and comment within 30 days. As 
of this date, no response has been received by this office 
(Exhibit D). 

 

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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. We took notice 
of the applicant's complete submission and the available 
evidence of record in judging the merits of the case; however, 
we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force 


office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the 
basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the 
victim of an error or injustice. We are not unmindful or 
unappreciative of his service to his Nation. Should the 
applicant provide additional documentation to substantiate his 
claim, we would be inclined to reconsider his petition. In view 
of the above and in the absence of persuasive 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. 

 

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-03228 in Executive Session on 31 May 2012, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 29 Jun 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 21 Nov 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Dec 11.