RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00107 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States, Block 27, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized be corrected to reflect the Purple Heart (PH). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: In 1954-1955, while going to work on a generator, an explosion threw him about 30 feet. He woke up and could not see out of his left eye. The next day he was examined by a doctor who concluded his eye was permanently damaged and he would never see out of it again. Over the years, this has proved to be correct, because the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) granted him service-connection with a disability rating of 50 percent for the loss of vision in one eye rating. Sometime after the injury, it was reported the enemy had infiltrated the base. The applicant provides no rationale as to why his untimely application should be considered. In support of his requests, the applicant provides a personal statement, copies of his DD Form 214; SF Form 600, Chronological Record of Medical Care and SF Form 513, Consultation Sheet. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 28 Jul 52, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force. He served four years of total active service. He is credited with one year of Foreign Service. According to the Air Force Personnel Center’s (AFPC) website, the PH is awarded for wounds or death as result of an act of any opposing armed force, as a result of an international terrorist attack or as a result of military operations while serving as part of a peacekeeping force. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. There is no evidence the applicant was awarded the PH. He did not provide medical documentation that substantiated his alleged injury, nor did he provide any eyewitness statements. The medical documentation provided did not support an injury, but rather states the applicant complained of decreasing vision in his left eye and not the sudden loss of vision due to an injury caused by enemy action. The applicant states it was reported there had been an enemy infiltration of the base and further speculates he surprised them which made them set off explosives, causing his injury. However, the alleged incident, based on his statements and date of the medical exam, happened on 22 Aug 55, well after combat operations had ended on the Korean peninsula. To grant relief, would be contrary to the criteria established by the DoDM 1348.33, Vol 3; the Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF), Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. The Purple Heart Review Board has the authority (on behalf of the SECAF) to determine a veteran’s award of the PH. 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. The applicant did provide medical documentation stating he was seen by medical personnel on 23 Aug 55, about his complaint of decreasing vision in his left eye. However, this appears to have been an on ongoing complaint, and there is no mention of an injury. The applicant provides a description of the circumstances of his injury, but it does not contain the date of the injury or his rank at the time. His statements concerning the doctor’s conclusion and the report of enemy infiltration of the base are unsubstantiated by independent documentation. He did not provide eyewitness statements that could help substantiate his allegations. The applicant’s request was not boarded by the Purple Heart Review Board as it did not contain a supporting eyewitness or medical documentation attesting to an injury caused by enemy action. On 27 Jul 53, the Korean Conflict ended by an armistice, ending active combat and on 27 Jul 54, the Department of Defense ceased awarding the Korean Service Medal signifying the end of the conflict. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit B. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 25 Apr 14, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit C). 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 injustice. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and the rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to grant 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-2014-00107 in Executive Session on 20 Nov 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-00107 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 6 Jan 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 11 Apr 14 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Apr 14.