RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-03959

	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Purple Heart.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He sustained wounds of the Republic of Vietnam and states that through bureaucratic errors, his special orders were not entered into his personnel records.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 10 Mar 88, per the applicant’s SF93, Report of Medical History, the applicant notates that he “received a concussion (2.5 hours unconscious) – combat injury 1965, enemy grenade – no complications, no surgery; treated by USA Special Forces Corpsman;” however, per the SF93 Continuation Sheet, the applicant states “unconscious for several hours from a VC grenade in Jul 68 in Vietnam, NCNS.”

On 30 Apr 88, the applicant retired in the grade of chief master sergeant and was credited with 35 years, 3 months, and 25 days active service to include 8 years, 9 months, and 19 days foreign service.

On 12 May 88, per memo from DPMASA provided by the applicant, the HQ USAF Purple Heart Review Board approved award of the Purple Heart to the applicant.  Special Order GB-372 was listed as an attachment but not provided.

In Mar 89, the applicant provides photographs declaring them as proof that he was presented with the Purple Heart with elements from AFPMC.

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP has completed an administrative correction for the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM) and the Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/4BSS).

AFPC/DP3SP recommends granting the application for the Purple Heart.  The applicant provided a letter from Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center indicating he was awarded the Purple Heart.   The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 26 Sep 17 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed, but it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.   After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and finds that a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Purple Heart.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2016-03959 in Executive Session on 23 May 18:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

The Board voted to correct the record as recommended.  The Board considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 26 Sep 16.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, w/atchs, dated 14 Jan 17.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 26 Sep 17.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9 for Docket Number BC-2016-03959.