RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03621 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

Her late father’s records be corrected to reflect he was awarded 
the Purple Heart (PH) medal and she be provided a replacement 
medal. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

Her father was awarded the Purple Heart for an injury he received 
sometime between 1948 and 1953, she would like the medal replaced 
due to a theft. 

 

She has the lapel pin and the bar that goes with the medal but 
the actual Purple Heart medal is missing. 

 

In support of her request, the applicant provides a photo copy of 
the lapel pin and bar. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The former member served in the Air Force for 23 years, 9 months, 
and 20 days. 

 

Block 27, Wounds Received as a Result of Action with Enemy Forces 
(Place and Date, if Known), of his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of 
the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, reflects 
“None.” 

 

AFPC/DPSID was able to verify the member’s entitlement to the 
Good Conduct Medal (GCM), and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal 
with One Bronze Service Star (APCM w/1BSS), and his DD Form 
214 will be administratively corrected to reflect these medals. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states there is no 
documentation in the former member’s official military personnel 
record, nor was any provided, to verify award of the Purple 



Heart. Without specific evidence concerning the injury and 
pertinent medical information, there is nothing to substantiate a 
wound. 

 

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the United States Armed 
Forces who have been wounded, killed, or who have died or may 
hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of 
the United States or opposing force as a result of an act of any 
such enemy or opposing armed force, an international terrorist 
attack or during military operations while serving as a part of a 
peacekeeping force. A wound for which the award is made must 
have required treatment, not merely examination, by a medical 
officer. Additionally, treatment of the wound shall be 
documented in the service member’s medical and/or health record. 
Award of the Purple Heart may be made for wounds treated by a 
medical professional other than a medical officer, provided a 
medical officer includes a statement in the service member’s 
record that the extent of the wounds were such that they would 
have required treatment by a medical officer if one had been 
available to treat them. 

 

The Purple Heart Review Board (PHRB) has the authority, on behalf 
of the Secretary of the Air Force, to determine a veteran’s 
entitlement to the Purple Heart. Each request is considered 
based on the policies and criteria in use at the time the veteran 
was injured, and the determination is dependent on the 
documentary evidence presented. In order to present a request to 
the PHRB the required documentary evidence and information is 
required. 

 

The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 26 Nov 12, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to 
the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a 
response has not been received (Exhibit C). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. After 
thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the 
applicant’s contentions, we are not persuaded the requested 
relief should be granted. Therefore, 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 her late father’s service 
to his Nation; however, in the absence of documentary evidence to 
corroborate her claim, we have no basis on which to favorably 
consider this application. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 Docket Number 
BC-2012-03621 in Executive Session on 18 Apr 13, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 24 Aug 12, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 3 Nov 12, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Nov 12.