ADDENDUM TO
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03803

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal.  

RESUME OF CASE:

On 21 June 2012, the Board considered and denied the applicant’s original request that his grade at discharge reflect staff sergeant (SSgt/E-5) rather than sergeant (Sgt/E-4), he be awarded the PH medal, and his Air Medal (AM) be upgraded to the Air Medal with Valor (AM w/Valor).  In the original case, the Board found the applicant’s delay in requesting consideration of a matter dating back over 42 years greatly complicated its ability to determine the merits of his contention for promotion to SSgt.  In regards to his request to upgrade his AM to the AM w/V, it was determined that he did not provide the requested documentation advised under the requirements of the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) rules with his application.  Lastly, in regards to the PH, he did not provide any documentation to substantiate that he received an injury as a direct result of enemy action that required medical treatment.  For an accounting of the facts and circumstances surrounding the applicant’s original request and the rationale of the earlier decision by the Board, see the Record of Proceedings (ROP) at Exhibit F. 

On 29 April 2015, by virtue of a DD Form 149, Application for Correction of Military Record, the applicant requested reconsideration of the PH medal.  In support of his request, as new evidence, he provides an undated statement from his roommate, stating in part that he and the applicant were in the Air Force together from 1965 to 1968 and states in part that in 1968, the applicant’s plane was hit by small arms fire in Vietnam and the applicant received an injury of shrapnel in his left thumb from the floor on ·the plane when they were hit in Vietnam.  The applicant also provides a radiology report dated 10 April 2013, depicting X-rays which show a foreign body in his left thumb and small pieces of shrapnel.  Also, a  urgical pathology report dated 8 July 2013, indicating his left dorsal thumb mass contained an irregular black and hard fragment of unknown material, possibly consistent with foreign body.  

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

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice with respect to the applicant’s request for award of the Purple Heart.  In support of his request, the applicant provides a statement from his roommate stating the applicant’s plane was hit by small arms fire in Vietnam and that the applicant received shrapnel injuries to his thumb. Additionally, we note the radiology and pathology reports indicates he has pieces of shrapnel in his thumb.  As such, we find the evidence in this case sufficient to conclude the applicant more likely than not sustained wounds as a direct result of an enemy attack.  Accordingly, we recommend the applicnat’s records be corrected as indicated below.  

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his 2 January 1969, release from active duty, be amended in Block 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to reflect the Purple Heart Medal.  

The following members of the Board considered the applicant’s request for reconsideration of AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2001-03803 in Executive Session on 8 September 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2001-01053 was considered:

	Exhibit F.  Record of Proceedings, dated 6 July 2012, 
                 w/atchs.
	Exhibit G.  DD Form 149, dated 29 April 2015, w/atch.  

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board’s review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board’s proceedings in the above entitled matter.