RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03970 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED 

 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

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

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

While serving in Korea he was injured and his commander told him 
that he would put him in for the PH Medal and promotion to staff 
sergeant. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides documents 
extracted from his military personnel records. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant’s DD Form 214, Report of Separation from the Armed 
Forces of the United States, reflects he served on active duty 
from 26 Oct 48 to 1 Aug 52. 

 

WD AGO Form No. 8-24, Report Control Symbol Med 19, dated 
25 Apr 52, indicates the applicant received second and third 
degree burns to his lower extremities due to the accidental 
detonation of an M-77 incendiary bomb while he was stationed in 
Korea. 

 

The PH Medal is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of 
enemy action (i.e., gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand 
combat wounds, force aircraft bail out injuries, etc.). In 
addition, it is necessary that the wound required or received 
treatment by medical personnel. In-direct injuries do not meet 
the criteria for the award of the PH Medal. 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 evasive measures 
against hostile fire or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

 


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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

HQ AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial noting the applicant’s injuries 
do not meet the criteria for award of the PH Medal. The injuries 
he sustained were not the direct result of enemy action and 
therefore do not qualify for award of the PH Medal. 

 

The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF 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 (Exhibit D). 
As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 an injustice. We took 
notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the 
merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and the 
recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that he 
has failed to sustain his burden of proof of the existence of an 
error or 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-2011-03970 in Executive Session on 24 May 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Oct 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Military Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 23 Nov 11. 

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