RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00670 COUNSEL:	NONE
HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
Her deceased father’s official military records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Purple Heart (PH) Medal and the Prisoner of War Medal (PWM) (Administratively Resolved).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
The decedent should receive the PH Medal for injuries incurred when his plane was shot down by enemy fire. He was taken prisoner by the Germans for nine months and should be awarded the PWM.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The decedent was a member of the Army Air Corps from 19 Feb 43 to 23 Sep 45.

The decedent’s WD-AGO Form 100 53-55, Army of the United States, Separation Qualification  Record, Item 23, reflects “Soldier missing in action and a prisoner of war for nine months in Germany.”

On 13 Apr 15, DPFCM notified the applicant of the decedent’s verified status as a prisoner-of-war (POW) from 13 Aug 44 to
26 Apr 45.
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval for award of the Purple Heart (PH) Medal.	The PH Medal is awarded to any member 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 PH Medal 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 medical 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.

DPSID was unable to locate a signed certificate, special order or any other official documentation verifying the decedent was recommended for or awarded the PH. While the applicant has provided a typed document which appears to be the decedent’s account of his service, it is not signed or dated. However, there is no mention in this document of the decedent receiving an injury upon his plane being shot down.

The	PH		Review	 Board		 has		the		authority	(on	 behalf		of	the Secretary of the Air Force), to determine a veteran’s award of the PH Medal.	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	PH		Review Board,	a	detailed		personal	account		of		the		circumstances surrounding	the		injury,	medical	documentation	to	substantiate medical	treatment	was		received	and	if	possible,	an	eyewitness account from an individual who saw the applicant injured.	The applicant’s request was not boarded by the PH Review Board as it does not contain eyewitness statements or medical documentation to verify the decedent received a wound due to enemy action that did not receive or should have received medical treatment.

Based on review of the decedent’s official military record, it was determined that he should have been awarded the following Medals: Prisoner of War Medal (PWM), American Campaign Medal (ACM), and the World War II Victory Medal (WWIIVM). Upon final board decision, the decedent’s record will be administratively corrected.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID 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 31 Aug 15, 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 timely filed.
3.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting award of the Purple Heart (PH) Medal. 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 (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the decedent has not been the victim of an error or injustice. While the evidence reflects the decedent’s prisoner of war (POW) status, there is no record to substantiate that the decedent received an injury as a direct result of enemy action. The decedent’s personal sacrifice and unselfish service to his country is noted and our decision in no way lessens our regard for his service; however, without documentation to substantiate that he received an injury caused by enemy action, we are unable to verify his entitlement to the PH Medal. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the decedent’s entitlement to the Prisoner of War Medal (PWM), American Campaign Medal (ACM), and the World War II Victory Medal (WWIIVM), and will correct his records administratively. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting relief beyond that already granted administratively.

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-2015-00670 in Executive Session on 8 Oct 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00670 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 8 Feb 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 10 Aug 15. Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Aug 15.