RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-01722 COUNSEL:	NONE
HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Purple Heart (PM) Medal.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He suffered injuries during a rocket attack while deployed to Afghanistan in August 2012. He was standing in the doorway of his quarters when a rocket exploded about 25 yards away. He was blown back into his room but did not realize the severity of his injuries at the time. Later he had headaches, dizziness, ringing in his ears and vomiting. When treated by his medical providers in Afghanistan, his condition was dismissed as food poisoning. His medical issues have continued upon returning home. He has even had surgery to attempt to restore his hearing. He believes his injuries qualify for award of the Purple Heart.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of master sergeant (E-7).

According to medical record information provided by the applicant, conditions of hearing loss (12 Aug 12) and vertigo (21 Aug 12) were noted by deployed medical providers as “non-battle related.”

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 denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The Purple Heart (PH) Medal 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 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.

After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, this advisor was unable to verify award of the PH Medal. Further the applicant’s record contained no signed certificate, Special Order or any other official documentation, nor was any provided, verifying the applicant was recommended for or awarded the PH Medal.

The applicant provided a narrative of the August 2012 incident, and a copy of his Medical Records which contained a medical report from 21 Aug 12. The medical report stated the “Injury and Illness: Not work Related; Not Battle Related” and “Medical/Surgical Cause: Non-Battle Illness”.

It is recommended to disapproval the award of the PH Medal. The applicant provided medical documentation from the time of the incident which indicates his injury and illness was not battle related. Additionally, the applicant has not provided any eyewitness statements supporting his narrative of events in August 2012. Without supporting medical documentation and an eyewitness statement, this advisor is unable to further process the applicant’s request to the approval authority, United States Air Forces Central Command, for consideration for award of the PH Medal. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff and/or the War Department.

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 28 Oct 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. 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 applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

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-2015-01722 in Executive Session on 17 Dec 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01722 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 31 Mar 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 28 Oct 15.