RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04211 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal. 

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

In Mar 66, he was wounded in Vietnam and never received the PH. 
He received stitches for a head injury. He has been back to 
Vietnam twice in the last few years. His fellow Vietnam comrades 
were either killed or sent to re-educate camps after the fall of 
Saigon. His medical records show his head wound, plus he has 
pictures that were taken after the injury occurred. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his 
DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer 
or Discharge, and copies of photographs. 

 

His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 27 Apr 57 and 
was progressively promoted to the grade of captain (P), having 
assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 27 Apr 
64. He received an honorable discharge on 17 Mar 68 after 
serving 12 years, 4 months, and 8 days on active duty. 

 

In order to be awarded the PH: You must have received wounds 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 that the wound 
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. 


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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. The applicant’s Report of 
Examination, dated 19 Feb 68, mentions two scars; however, 
neither of them was on his head. Another report notes a cut on 
top of his head, but states the applicant “cut tip of his head on 
an airplane, 1966.” A medical report dated 4 Feb 66, indicates 
the applicant received a laceration; however, nothing was 
mentioned concerning the cause of the injury or the presence of 
foreign bodies. 

 

The complete 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 6 Jan 12 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this 
date, this office has received no response. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. After a 
thorough review of the available evidence and applicant’s 
complete submission, we find no evidence that his records should 
be corrected to show he was awarded the PH. As such, 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. The applicant’s honorable service is noted. 
Regrettably, we do not find the evidence submitted is sufficient 
to recommend granting the requested relief. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 


The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that 
the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 
that 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-2011-04211 in Executive Session on 23 Feb 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 


 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Oct 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 15 Dec 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Jan 12.