DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

	                                               BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS
						 2NAVYANNEX
WASHINGTON DC 20370:100

										JRE
Docket No. 05914-06
4 September 2007
	Dear 

This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to the provisions of title 10 of the United States Code, section 1552.

A three-member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 23 August 2007. Your allegations of error and injustice were reviewed in accordance with administrative regulations and procedures applicable to the proceedings of this Board. Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of your application, together with all material submitted in support thereof, your naval record and applicable statutes, regulations and policies.

After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire record, the Board found that the evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or injustice. In this connection, the Board was not persuaded that you were wounded in action at Corregidor during the period from February to May 1942. The Board noted that upon your return to military control following your release from captivity as a prisoner of war, you denied that you had been wounded. In addition, you did not submit a claim to the Veterans Administration for residuals of wounds, or report a history of wounds in the Reports of Medical History you completed 28 February 1952, 26 November 1962 and 25 January 1967.

In view of the foregoing, the Board was unable to recommend any corrective action in your case, and it denied your application. The names and votes of the members of the panel will be furnished upon request.

Under legislation passed after you retired, former POWs may be entitled to the Purple Heart for certain injuries sustained while a POW. You should contact the Commandant of the Marine Corps to determine in you are entitled to a Purple Heart for any such injuries.

It is regretted that the circumstances of your case are such that favorable action cannot be taken. You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon submission of new and material evidence or other matter not previously considered by the Board. In this regard, it is important to keep in mind that a presumption of regularity attaches to all official records. Consequently, when applying for a correction of an official naval record, the burden is on the applicant to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

Sincerely,

W. DEAN PFEIFFER
Executive Director