RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-03692 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The Purple Heart (PH) Medal be annotated on his DD Form 214. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He received a PH medal after his plane crashed in the South Pacific (Island of Morotai) and was told that the paperwork would be completed; however, it never was. He tried to correct his records many years ago, but was told his records were burned in a fire. In a personal statement by the applicant, submitted by a Home Based Primary Care Social Worker, he states that on 3 Oct 44, he and 11 other aircraft crew members were told that their mission was to bomb Truk Island; which was supposed to be a safe mission. However, when they flew over Truk Ishand they encountered fighter aircraft. Most of the aircraft were shot down, to include the applicant’s aircraft. He was treated for facial wounds that he received due to the forced crash-landing impact and shrapnel. He first learned of the PH not being annotated on his WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge, at the time of his discharge; however, he was unsuccessful at that time in getting the PH updated on his form. He is now 90 years old and would like to be officially recognized for receiving the PH medal. In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal statement, copies of newspaper articles and photos, a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55, a copy of his general orders, a copy of his Discharge Certificate, and a copy of the Army Review Boards Agency correction package. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a former member of the Army Air Corps who served on active duty from 18 Jul 41 through 26 May 45, as an airplane armorer-gunner. He participated in the Central Pacific and Northern Solomon’s Campaign; Mandated Islands Campaign, Bismarck Archipelago and New Guinea Campaign. The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55, issued in conjunction with his honorable discharge on 26 May 45, reflects he had no wounds received in action. The same form notes he was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with 1 Silver Star and 1 Bronze Star, a Unit Citation Badge, an Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, an American Defense Ribbon with Bronze Star. In accordance with Army Regulation (AR) 600-45, Decorations, dated 22 Sep 43, during the period in question, the PH was awarded for wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States, or as a direct result of an enemy action, provided such wound necessitated treatment by a medical officer. For the purpose of awarding the PH, a wound was defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force, element, or agent, sustained as the result of a hostile act of the enemy, or while in action in the face of the enemy. When a person eligible for award of the PH was treated for a wound, the commanding officer of the hospital, or the medical officer who treated the wound, furnished the commanding officer of the wounded person a certificate briefly describing the nature of the wound, and certifying the necessity of treatment. In addition, a wounded soldier’s unsupported statement could be accepted in unusual or extenuating circumstances when, in the opinion of the officer making the award, no corroborative evidence was obtainable. However, the statement would be substantiated if possible. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states that after a thorough review of the applicant’s record, there is no special order, recommendation, or any other evidence in the applicant’s official military records to support he was submitted for or awarded the PH medal. Futhermore, DPSIDR notes that the applicant states his injuries were not incurred as a direct result of enemy action; the applicant’s injuries were received after the fact as a result of a crash landing. The DPSIDR complete 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 14 Jan 11 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, this office has received no response. _________________________________________________________________ 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 error or injustice. After a thorough review of the available evidence and applicant’s complete submission, we find no evidence that his records should be corrected to show he was awarded the PH. As such, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. The applicant’s honorable service is noted. Regrettably, we do not find the evidence submitted is sufficient to recommend granting the requested relief. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that 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-2010-03692 in Executive Session on 7 Apr 11, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence for Docket Number BC-2010- 03692 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Apr 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 29 Dec 10. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Jan 11.